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THE

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

FROM ijoo TO 1800

Mrs. ELIZABETH HUBBELL SCHENCK

VOL.

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR

NEW YORK

1905

THE LIBRARY OF

CONCRtSS.

Two Copies Received

FEB fl 1305

CopyrKtht Entry

I'rcs« o( J. J. Little * Co.,
A>tor I'lacr, iNew York.

PREFACE

In presenting the second volume of the History of Fairfield to the
)ubHc the author has labored under many disadvantages in delay from
11-health for four or live years after the publication of the first volume,
rhe closely-written State records having proved too severe a strain upon
he eyes, the historian has hitherto largely depended upon the published
ecords by the late State librarian, Mr. Charles J. Hoadley.

It is not out of place here to impress upon the Legislature of Con-
lecticut the necessity of yearly setting aside a liberal sum of money for
he publication and preservation of the Connecticut State records, which
yossess for the historian and the genealogist civil, military and ecclesias-
ical documents and records of inestimable value.

The town, probate and parish records of Fairfield, now well worn
md faded, ought to be published without delay; a work by which the
Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames, with
heir earnest zeal for the preservation of valuable relics and the recorded
ieeds of our ancestors, would add lustre to their many praiseworthy
lets of patriotism.

Having had for many years a copy of the first extant parish records
)f Christ Church, FairfieW, the author has thought wise to add them
o this volume, that many who frequently apply to her for genealogical
amily records may themselves be able to trace them out. The parish
•ecords of Green's Farms, Stratfield, Greenfield Hill, Northfield, Mill
=*lain and Southport, which follow those of Fairfield, are most interesting
ind valuable.

In recording the names of the military officers of Fairfield and of
ts several parishes the reader is requested to bear in mind that the men
vho composed the army were as worthy of honor as the officers who
ed them, for they were among the soldiers of the army who won the
lard fought battles which made the United States a free and independent
:ountry.

It is with deep regret that the author feels obliged with this volume
o end her work of compiling the History of Fairfield ; as, with advancing
^ears, the labor of such an undertaking is too great a strain upon her
itrength. The years which follow she leaves to some other pen to record
md publish.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER VII

1700 — 1 7 10

WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS

Dawn of the eighteenth century. — Free grammar schools. — Yale College Charter. — The Gen-
eral Assembly to be held at Hartford and at New Haven. — Fairfield Village changed to
Stratfield and made a parish. — Tornado at Fairfield. — Death of King William. — Acces-
sion of Queen Anne. — Smallpox town hospitals and maritime laws for vessels. — Slaves. —
Court of Assistants held annually at New Haven in October.— A portion of Fairfield school
tax to be paid to Stratfield school. — Grant of grammar school lands. — War declared against
France and Spain.— School tax.— Freeman's fine.— Kenzey's Point.— Indian Sasco Neck
land. — School at Bankside.— Compo mill. — Grant to John Edwards on Meeting-house
Green.— School at Greenfield Hill.— Clapboard Hill.— Nathan Gold judge of New Haven
Court of Assistants. — Peter Burr one of the Court of Assistants. — Surveyors of Fairfield. —
Protection sent to the eastern and western plantations. — Townships confirmed in their
patent rights. — Protection to friendly Indians. — Reward for taking Indian enemies. — Com-
mittee of Safety.— Preparations for defending the frontier towns.— War tax.— Fairfield
military officers. — Queen's Attorney. — Connecticut Charter in danger. — Burning of Rich-
ard Ogden's mill. — Demand of England for masts and stores. — Repeal of laws against
Quakers. — Fast day. — Ministers and families exempt from taxes. — Drunkenness punished.
— Stocks. — Land granted to Rev. S. Wakeman.— Grant of land for Pequot war service to
Capt. Richard Osborn.— Renewal of Long-lots. — Efforts of the governors of Massa-
chusetts and New York to nullify colony charters.— Sir tienry .A.shurst's defense of the
Connecticut Charter in England. — Heavy taxes. — Introduction of the Church of England.
— Unfriendly Indians sent to Fairfield jail. — Refusal of men and arms to the governors of
Massachusetts and New York. — Law of Inhabitants and who to admit. — Charity for
Samuel Carter.— Petitioners of New Fairfield.— Nathan Gold elected Deputy Governor.—
Church of England at Fairfield.— Governors to be elected by the people instead of by
magistrates.— Bankside farmers apply for parish rights. — Grant of parish rights to towns.
— Laws for dissenters from Congregationalism. — The Saybrook Platform. — Impost on
home and foreign liquors.— Election Sermons in towns. — Thanksgiving Day. — Stock of
town guns and ammunition. — Fresh taxes. — Persons exempt from train-band service. —
Nathan Gold in charge of military arms, etc.— Dogs.— Penalty for selling arms, etc., to
Indians. — Peter Burr major of Fairfield County Regiment. — Church of England members
disheartened. — Expedition against Canada, etc. — P'ailure of the expedition. — Fairfield sur-

CONTENTS

geon and military officers. — Resolve to renew the expedition. — First issue of paper money.
—Petition of Connecticut to the Queen.— Military affairs.— The sick and wounded at
Albany. — Laws for encouraging and improving military companies. — Young people not
to gather on Sabbath evenings, etc

CHAPTER VIII
1710 — 1720

CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

Election of officers.— Bills of credit.— Counterfeiting.— Council of War.— Efforts to capture
Canada. — Queen Anne's letter. — Response to the Queen's letter. — Troops ordered out. —
Ships and transports.— Officers of Expedition.— Capture of Port Royal.— Military officers
of Green's Farms. — Tax for the Expedition. — Parish petition of Green's Farms. — Con-
necticut and New York boundar>- line. — Major Burr's soldiers. — New Fairfield. — Expe-
dition against Canada. — Green's Farm a parish. — Educational interests. — Bills of credit
and taxes. — Smallpox hospitals. — County Courts. — Superior Courts, — Expedition against
Canada. — Punishment of deserters. — Army supplies from Connecticut. — Dr. James Laborie
and Dr. Copp. — Troops, supplies, and drums from Fairfield. — Army and Navy leave for
Canada. — Failure of the expedition. — Connecticut garrison in frontier forts. — Land grant
to heirs of Major Nathan Gold. — Renewed efforts against Canada. — Green's Farms bound-
ary.— Laws for tavern-keepers. — Post fees. — Assembly at Fairfield of an Ecclesiastical
Court. — Church attendance obligatory. — Public land to be sold for erecting a court-house.
— Taxes. — Schools. — Yale college fees. — Grant of land to Green's Farms minister, to
Rev. Mr. Webb and Rev. Charles Chauncey.— Perry's grist mill.— Laws for vicious per-
sons.— New issue of bills of credit 1713. — Taxes on imports. — Reward for wolves and
panthers. — Peace of Utrecht. — Great expense of Connecticut in the French and English
war. — Charters in danger. — Indian deed of Clapboard Hill. — Highways between Long-
lots. — County officers. — Preservation of forests. — Duties on wood exports. — Strict religious
laws. — Bibles in families required. — Decline of religion.— Custom house at Black Rock. —
A long drought. — Death of (^ueen Anne. — .Xccession of George I. — Green's Farms allowed
to embody in a society. — Schools. — New mills. — Rev. Daniel Chapman called to Green's
Farms. — Death of Rev. Charles Chauncey. — Fairweather Island. — Trustees of school
lands. — Temperance laws. — Train-band officers of Green's Farms and Greenfield. — Chief
Justice Nathan Gold. — Regulations for vessels on Sabbath days. — Parish laws for Sab-
bath worship, teaching, and for good morals. — Thanksgiving. — Fast day. — Greens Farms
opens its Church and ordains Rev. Mr. Chapman. — Individual land grants to be secured.
— Train-band officers for county troops. — Election sermon. — Schools. — Private persons
not to purchase lands of Indians. — Ta.xes on imports, and on peddlers and non-residents
of the colony. — Cattle pound laws. — Evangelizing the Indians. — Saw mill on .\spetuck
River.- Dr. James Laborie a resident of Fairfield. — Land grant to the heirs of Captain
Nathaniel Seeley. — County cavalry officers. — Drainage of Pine creek meadow. —Yale col-
lege.— Vagrancy not permitted. — Taxes for bills of credit. — Bills of credit issued. — Mr.
Timothy Green of New London the engraver of bills of credit. — Bounds of parsonage
lands. — Rev. Samuel Cook minister of Stratfield parish.— Value of estates of Fairfield
1719. — Fast day

CONTENTS

CHAPTER IX

1720-1730

CHURCH AND STATE

Green's Farms Church. — Court House. — General Assembly officers. — Upper and Lower Houses
of Assembly. — Trouble with Indians. — Increased ta.xes on liquor. — Fast day. — Fairfield
school land patent. — Contribution to Yale College. — Beliefs and customs of the Estab-
lished Church of the Colony. — 'A summary of their persecutions. — Church of England vig-
orously maintained. — Opposition of the Established Church. — Laws against the Rogerenes.
— Tithingmen. — Punishment for non-observance of the ecclesiastical colony laws. — .Supe-
rior Courts. — Trouble with the eastern Indians. — County troops. — Fast Day. — Yale Col-
lege converts to the Church of England. — Rev. George Pigot. — His letters to England.
— Persecution of Church of England members. — Rev. Joseph Webb's letter. — Rev. Mr.
Pigot's and Dr. Laborie's letters. — Duties of upper and lower houses of Assembly. —
School money. — Judge Peter Burr elected Chief Justice. — Death of Justice Nathan Gold.
— Public tax. — Land grant to heirs of Justice Nathan Gold. — Value of Fairfield estates.
— Rev. Samuel Johnson. — His letters. — State and military officers. — Parliament oath taken.
— Sheriff of Fairfield. — Laws for Indians. — Military sent against eastern Indians. — Signal
of friendly Indians. — Massachusetts calls for military assistance. — Death of Justice Peter
Burr. — Troops sent against eastern Indians. — Greenfield petitions for parish privileges. —
Rev. Noah Hobart an assistant to Rev. Mr. Webb. — Captain Samuel Couch's land patent.
— Thanksgiving Day. — Opening of the Church of England and location. — Laws against
swearing. — Official fees. — Admission of strangers. — Northwest parish (Greenfield) embody
in church and state. — Covenant. — Rev. John Goodsell. — Church officers. — How to warn
new societies. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Greenfield meeting- house. — Growth of the
Church of England. — Taxation without representation. — Rev. Dr. Johnson's letters. —
Petition of Church of England ofiicers. — Petition granted. — Northwe.-;l parish named
Greenfield. — Death of George I. — Accession of George II. celebrated at New Haven. —
House of Correction. — Earthquake and its effects. — Lottery evils. — Churchmen persecuted.
— Mr. Caner's letters. — Public notifications. — Probate Court of Stamford. — Lotteries for-
bidden.— Viciousness of the Indians. — Reading petitions to be made a parish. — Fairfield
County enlarged. — Requisites of a freeholder. — Reading made a parish. — Official fees. — .
Freeman's rights

CHAPTER X
1730— 1740

GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD

State military officers. — Law for slaves. — Settlement of boundary between New York and Con-
necticut.— Value of Fairfield estates. — Maintenance and growth of the Church of Eng-
land.— Law for erecting meeting-houses. — Vice to be suppressed. — Stratfield military
officers. — Canaan meeting-house. — Town ta.xes. — Death of Dr. Laborie. — I'arsonagc

i CONTEXTS

lands. — Reading petitions England for a clergyman. — Rev. John Beach. — Towns not to
entertain strangers. — Death of Rev. Joseph Webb. — Rev. Noah Ilobart's ordination. —
Election ball. — Church customs. — Queen Anne's munificent grant to the Church of Eng-
land in America. — Dean Berkeley's visit to America. — His gift of books and scholarship
to Yale College. — Diversion of Queen Anne's gift. — Dean Berkeley's mortification and
return. — Berkeley Divinity School at Middletown. — Western Lands. — School laws. — Green-
Held and Fairfield military officers. — Preservation of Forests. — New bills of credit. — Value
of Fairfield estates. — Encouragement of silk and linen weaving. — Manner of calling church
gatherings. — Epidemic in the colony. — Decline of religious interest in families. — Sale of
parsonage lands. — Church of England not allowed to share in the sale of these lands. —
Law for gathering church ta.xes. — Capt. .Samuel Couch's patent of Indian land. — New
Fairfield to be settled. — Severe laws against theft and burglaries. — Restrictions on tavern
keepers. — Military laws. — Magistrates of 1736. — Mutilated bills of credit. — Evangelizing
the Indians. — New Fairfield. — Magistrates of 1737. — Superior Court. — New Fairfield. —
Wilton meeting house. — Creen's Farm's meeting house. — Western lands. — Greenfield militia
officers. — Magistrates of 173S. — Report of Colony laws and bills of credit. — Reading. —
Town privileges of New Fairfield. — Fairfield military ofificers. — Magistrates of 1739. —
Reading bounds. — Military and naval regulations 96

CHAPTER XI

WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN

Religious awakening. — Rev. George Whitefield. — New Lights. — Revivals. — Assistants and
deputies of 1740. — Proclamation of war. — Soldiers raised. — Bills of credit issued. — Taxes
l.iid. — Stratfield exempt from Fairfield school and ministers' ta.xes. — New Fairfield
meeting-house. — Incorporated a town. — Hemp, canvas, and linen. — Bills of credit. —
Volunteers for war. — Deserters punished. — Military officers. — Colonial laws sent to Eng-
land.— 1741. — E.xpedition against West Indies. — Colony and military ofificers. — Embargo
on grain, etc. — Military preparations. — Sale of western lands for .schools. — Prayers for
King and Royal family. — Fresh troops sent to Cuba. — Sloop Defence. — Invasion of
Georgia. — Rev. Daniel Chapman's death. — 1742. — Colony and military ofificers. — Probate
seal. — College license. — License for ministers. — Old Lights and New Lights. — Church of
England convention at Fairfield. — Green's Farms meeting-house, seatings, and bell. —
Reading meeting-house. — Greenfield Hill meeting-house. — 1743. — Colonial and military
officers. — Ecclesiastical law for dissenters. — Fourth Regiment officers. — Preparations for
war. — Fairfield ta.xes. — 1744. — Political and military officers. — Superior Court at Fairfield.
— War between England and France. — Military officers and troops raised to assist New
^'ork. — Powder money tax. — Friendly Indian badges. — Punishment for ofiicers and soldiers.
— Fairfield doomed. — 1745. — French expedition against Louisburg. — Assembly of Febru-
ary.— Expedition against Cape Breton and neighborhood. — Volunteers raised. — Sloop De-
fence and transports prepared. — Major Andrew Burr. — Colonel of forces. — April 3d a fast
day. — Bills of credit issued. — Political and military officers. — Reinforcements. — Bills of
credit issued. — Commanding ofiicers. — Commodore Warren's course. — Expedition sailed.
— Orders from England. — Louisburg and Cape Breton taken. — (jreal rejoicing in colonies.
— Valuable prizes. — Fisheries preserved. — Col. Andrew Burr's regiment maintained at
Louisburg. — Connecticut requests share in jirize money, etc. — 1746. — England resolved to

CONTENTS ix

conquer Canada, and France to retake her possessions. — Ofikers of the civil and military
appointments. — Care of disabled soldiers. — Fresh officers and soldiers raised to attack
Canada. — Day of fasting and prayer ordered. — Bills of credit. — Troops to protect frontier
towns. — Expedition against Crown Point. — French fleet. — Alarm on New England coast.
— Disasters and failure of French fleet. — New England dissatisfied and alienated from
England. — Enterprise and bravery of Fairfield men and women. — Political and military
officers. — Protection of currency, trade, and lumber. — Bounty to Indian allies. — Oath of
allegiance and supremacy. — Estates of Fairfield. — Agreement to defend English colonies.
— French attack on English possessions and failure. — Indian depredations. — Ecclesiastical
affairs. — 1748.— Political and military officers. — Rev. Henry Caner goes to Boston. — Rev.
Joseph Lamson. — Death of Rev. Samuel Cook.— Rev. Lyman Hall. — New church. — Cross-
highway. — St. John's Church, Stratfield. — Reading meeting-house. — Rev. Mr. Beach. —
Death of Rev. Mr. Hunn. — New Fairfield's tax for church. — Tax for Yale College. —
Ecclesiastical laws. — 1749. — Political and military officers. — Treaty of peace between
England, France, and Spain. — Louisburg ceded back to France. — Depreciation of cur-
rency.— England called upon for assistance and reimbursement. — Taxes raised to pay
England's war expenses. — Heavy tax on Fairfield. — Indian Sagamore Chicken deeded his
land at Reading 128

CHAPTER XII
1750— 1760

FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA

CONTENTS

tions of Gens. Johnson and Lyman on Lake George. — Attack on Johnson's camp. — Defeat
of the French. — Colonel Moncton's victory at Nova Scotia. — General Braddock's defeat at
Fort Du Quesne. — Bravery of Colonel Washington. — Governor Shirley's forces against
Niagara disheartened. — Erected Fort Ontario. — Bravery of Connecticut forces rewarded
by King. — Fairfield parsonage and school lands. — Secret council against the French. —
Appeal to King for money. — Gratuity to Connecticut forces. — Act to preserve Indian
friendship. — French prisoners sent to Fairfield. — Commissioners sent to New York to
prosecute the war. — Connecticut preparations. — Crown Point. — Connecticut borrows
money. — Taxes to repay it. — Call for arms and ammunition. — Fairfield Council of War. —
Jonathan Trumbull sent to England. — Civil and military officers of 1756. — Law against
bribery in elections. — Long lots. — Loans to private individuals. — England sends timely
money. — Fast day. — War declared against France, May i8th. — Preparations to defeat the
French at all points. — Inefficient British generals. — Loss of fort at Oswego. — General
Webb's incompetency. — Abercrombie's humiliating delay. — Industry of colonial troops. —
Earl of Loudon in Connecticut. — French and Indian atrocities. — Gold and silver from
England. — Embargo on grain and provisions. — Fast day. — Fresh troops for Lake George.
— Officers of Fourth Regiment. — Earl Loudon's vexatious orders. — Fairfield parishes. —
Weston parish. — Stratfield Baptists. — New Bridge. — Jail bounds. — Commissioners to
meet at Boston on war, January, 1757. — Collections taken in churches. — Public lottery for
colony eypenses. — Civil and military officers of 1757. — Preparation of troops to march. —
Norfield bounds. — Public, shipping, and tea taxes on merchandise and peddlers. — Lieut. -
Col. John Read. — Connecticut's noble response for troops. — Change from Crown Point to
Louisburg.— Large forces sent from England. — E.xpedition relinquished. — French achieve-
ments.— Fort William Henry reduced. — Albany threatened. — Connecticut sends large rein-
forcements.— Great distress on frontiers. — English officers disgraced. — Fourth Regiment
troops at Fort Edward. — General Council of War at New York. — Officers promoted. —
Fairfield war taxes. — English soldiers at Fairfield. — Rev. Seth Pomeroy minister at Green-
field.— Baptists at Stratfield. — King's orders for large army to invade Canada. — Fresh
troops raised and Bills of Credit. — Heavy taxes. — Commissioners. — Embargo on ships. —
Military and civil officers of 1758. — British activity. — Connecticut agents to England. —
Fairfield agent to Albany. — Fast day. — British troops at Fairfield. — Lottery. — Supplies
for troops at Fort Edward and Station No. 4. — Roads to Albany. — Bell Foundry. — Troops
from England. — Louisburg and St. Johns taken. — P'orts Du Quesne and Frontenac taken.
— .A.bercrombie's defeat at Fort Ticonderoga. — Besieged and taken by General Bradstreet.
— Connecticut raises more forces and money. — Fairfield officers. — David Rowland to assist in
counting seven chests of English money. — Civil and military officers of 1759. — More troops
raised. — Brigade major. — English troops quartered at Fairfield. — Ticonderoga, Crown
Point, and Isle Aux Noix taken. — Surrender of Quebec. — Preparations to take Montreal.
— Fairfield taxes. — Old Lights and New Lights 165

CHAPTER XIII
1760 — 1770

SEVEN years' WAR AND REVOLUTION

Quebec taken. — 1760. — Political and military officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Boston fire
collection in churches. — Renewed attack on French possessions. — Montreal taken. — Con-

CONTENTS xi

gratulations to the King and to General Amherst. — Money sent from England. — Thanks-
giving day throughout Connecticut. — War with Indians. — 1761. — England calls for more
troops. — Troops raised. — Officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — King's proclamation. —
Ecclesiastical laws sent to towns. — Money from England. — Bridge across Saugatuck
river. — Pitiless war against Indians. — Peace declared. — England's drain upon American
colonies. — Answers to England about trade, etc. — General Amherst calls for troops to
protect forts. — Industry of troops, — Taxable estates. — Ecclesiastical controversies and
taxes. — Northfield parish. — New meeting-house at Greenfield Hill, and call of Rev. Mr.
Pomeroy. — 1762. — England calls for more troops. — Troops raised. — Bills of credit and
taxes. — Military officers. — Colonial forces take the place of English regulars. — More troops
raised. — Civil and military officers. — Large bounty offered. — Embargo on food and grain.
— Attack on West Indies. — War against Spain declared. — Attack on Havana. — Great mor-
tality among troops. — General Amherst reinforced. — Officers from Fairfield. — Fall of Ha-
vana.— Fatality of the New England troops. — Money from England. — Abatement of
taxes. — Officers commissioned. — 1763. — Peace declared and concessions made. — Great
rejoicing. — Men of Connecticut. — Fairfield's brave course. — Wave of great prosperity. —
Affection and pride of the colonies for England. — Honored men of Fairfield. — Law for
debtors. — Bills of credit issued to pay officers and soldiers. — Taxes levied. — Money granted
by England used for billeting her soldiers, etc. — A day of thanksgiving appointed. — Col.
Andrew Burr inspector of army accounts. — 1764. — Fresh Indian conspiracy. — Civil and
military officers. — More troops ordered out. — Bills of credit. — English taxation burden-
some.— Check upon industrial prosperity. — Protest against stamp duties, etc. — Peace with
western Indians. — Intellectual impetus. — Stamp Act. — Benjamin Franklin's discovery of
electricity. — Church officers. — Protest against Stamp Act. — Jared Ingersoll's English ap-
pointment of Stamp Distributor. — Colony expenses laid before parliament. — 1765. — Ac-
count of war and colony taxes sent to England, etc. — Civil and military officers. — Golden
Hill Indians. — Congress of colonies held in New York. — Resolution. — Treatment of Stamp
Act Commissioner. — Public protests. — Rise of Sons of Liberty. — Great excitement. — Re-
fusal to use English importations. — Home industries used only. — Proceedings of Congress
indorsed by General Assembly. — Petitions to king and parliament signed and sent to
England. — Golden Hill Indians. — A public fast. — Stamp Act ignored. — 1766. — Stamp
Act repealed. — Ecclesiastical controversies at Fairfield. — Connecticut refuses Stamp Act
Oath. — Governor Fitch and four others take the oath. — Their mistake. — Civil and mili-
tary officers. — Repeal of Stamp Act. — Letter of gratitude to king and parliament. — Public
day of thanksgiving. — Oath of allegiance to George III, rejecting pretensions of James
III. — Taxes for schools. — Act to preserve shell-fish. — Church of England convention at
Stratford. — Petition for bishop. — 1767. — General Gage requested British troops to be
quartered in Fairfield and towns adjacent. — Civil and military officers. — Increase of
school money. — Reading petitions for a distinct township to be named Redding. — King's
troops quartered in the colony. — Mile-stones. — 1768. — Civil and military officers. — Guar-
dian of Golden Hill Indians. — British renewal of taxes. — Resistance, riots, and indigna-
tion.— American patriots. — Non-importation. — Rise of Sons and Daughters of Liberty. —
Petition to the King and Colonial Secretary. — Letter to Massachusetts Assembly. — Death
of David Rowland, Esq. — Fairfield jail and court-house burned by Frazer. — New court-
house and jail on the Meeting-house Green. — Draining salt marsh at Green's Farms. —
Church of England purchased Glebe land. — 1769. — Separate troops of horse in Fourth
Regiment. — Civil and military officers. — Effort to remove court-house and jail to Norwalk
defeated. — New military exercises. — Death of Governor Pitkin. — Jonathan Trumbull
elected governor. — Resolutions to sustain colonial rights and liberties. — Search for land
titles. — Death of Col. John Burr. — Powder-house 229

ii CONTENTS

CHAPTER XIV
1770 — 1780

THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

?70. — Increasing spirit of liberty. — Civil and militar)' officers. — Repeal of colony duties on ex-
ports.— E.xasperating conduct of English troops. — Boston Massacre. — Day of fasting and
prayer. — 1771. — Civil and military officers. — Personal taxes. — Death of Col. James Smed-
ley. — 1772. — Civil and military officers. — Great storm. — Drilling soldiers. — 1773. — Civil
and military officers. — Purchase of arms. — Judge Silliman's letters to the colonies. — Census
of the colony and regiments. — Western Lands. — Tea shipped back to England. — Boston
Tea Party. — 1774. — Civil and military officers. — Western Lands. — Boston Port Bill. — Dr.
Benjamin Franklin. — Action of General Assembly. — Day of fasting and prayer. — Prepara-
tions for war. — Congress of colonies at Philadelphia. — Boston port closed. — Fairfield sends
assistance and supplies. — Connecticut regiments called out. — Industry of Daughters of
Liberty. — Military arms inspected. — Importing slaves into Connecticut prohibited. — Mili-
tary officers appointed and ammunition distributed. — Bills of Credit. — Assembly opposition
to British colonial acts. — Fairfield's approval of Colonial Convention's resolutions, and call a
county congress. — Strict economy agreed upon. — 1775. — Large call for ammunition. —
Negro spirit roused to fight. — Bonds of naval officers. — Contributions to Boston while be-
sieged.— Letter to Earl Dartmouth. — King permits limited fishing on New Foundland
banks. — Patrick Henry. — Preparation for war throughout the colonies. — Battle of Lexing-
ton.— Troops set out for relief of Boston. — Men from Fairfield. — Special Assembly. —
Embargo on food, grain, etc. — Committees of supply and relief. — Forces for Connecticut.
— Officers appointed. — The Fifth Regiment. — Bills of Credit. — Committees for ammu-
nition.— Defence of seaports. — Four regiments sent to Boston. — Fasting and prayer. —
Governor Trumbull's letter to General Gage. — Insolent reply of Gen. Gage. — May Assem-
bly.— Civil and military officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Every war preparation made.
— Regiment standards. — Premium for stands of arms and ammunition. — Act passed for
defending the colony. — Expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. — Kindness to
prisoners of war. — Council of War. — Provincial Congress of New York, New Jersey and
I'hiladelphia. — Col. George Washington appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army. —
Israel Putnam Major General of Connecticut forces. — Continental bills of credit. — Con-
necticut forwards troops and ammunition to Boston. — Battle of Breeds and Bunker Hill.
— Battle flags. — Connecticut troops sent toJNew London and New York. — General Wash-
ington sets out for Massachusetts and passes through Fairfield. — General Tryon arrives
in New York. — Connecticut officers and troops posted near New York. — Fairfield sends
food and ammunition of relief to Boston. — More regiments raised. — Fairfield officers. —
Naval vessels. — Mile stones. — General Montgomery's forces to attack Quebec. — Bills of
credit issued. — Provisions sent out of the colony. — Embargo laid. — First colony uni-
forms.— Marriage of Hon. John Hancock and Miss Dorothy Quincey. — Continental
money. — General Washington prepares his troops for action. — Calls for more troops from
Connecticut. — New stands of arms. — Money and supplies sent to sick soldiers at Ticon-
deroga and prisoners of war. — Capt. Stephen Thorp's sloop of provisions sent to Massa-
chusetts.— Connecticut retains her charter government. — Brother Jonathan. — Expedition
against Canada. — Heroes of Fairfield. — .Minute-men. — Bounty for salt-pelre and nitre. —
Powder mill in each town. — Punishment of Tories. — Enemy ordered to harass coast towns.
— Congress makes it a crime to assist the British. — Vessels and row galleys ordered to de-
fend the coast of Connecticut. — Coast guards. — Ammunition and stores. — 1776. — Rein-

CONTENTS >

forcements for New York. — Cannon and ammunition for Fairfield. — Fort at Grover Hill
erected. — Lieut. Ebenezer Bartram. — Captain Harding of Brig Defence. — Dorchester
Heights. — Boston evacuated. — Great rejoicing. — Col. Gold Sellick Silliman's regiment
sent to New York to join General Washington. — Lieut. John Mills. — Lieut. Samuel
Smedley of Brig Defence and Joseph Squire. — Row galleys fitted out. — German troops
sent to assist the English. — Fresh troops ordered out. — General Washington's reply to
General Howe. — General Assembly of May. — Civil and military officers. — Five regiments
of cavalry. — Major David Dimon of new regiment. — Bills of credit issued and taxes. —
Call for all able bodied men. — Continental bills of credit. — Captain Samuel Squire com-
missary.— Premium for gun-lock. — Letters of marque and reprisal. — Mr. Thaddeus Burr
specie agent of postal money, etc. — Fairfield officers. — Inhabitants of towns ordered to arm
and form themselves into companies of defence. — Attack to be made on Fairfield dis-
covered.— Armed galleys ordered out. — Embargo on provisions and grain. — The General
Assembly proposes through their delegates to Continental Congress to declare the United
American Colonies free and independent states. — National standard of stars and stripes. —
British attack upon Virginia. — The Declaration of Independence declared July 4, 1776. —
Prayers for the king and royal family omitted. — Battalions raised for northern department.
— Continental army. — Boston. — Fairfield officers. — Bills of Credit. — Last Assembly of the
colony of Connecticut. — Patriotic proclamation read in every church. — Ammunition for
Fairfield. — Three regiments of light horse sent to New York. — Supplies and money sent
to Black Rock Fort. — Brig Defence captures several British vessels. — Newgate Prison. —
Tow-cloth tents. — Military uniforms. — Spies punished. — Cannon supplied to Black Rock
Fort. — Brigantine Defence sent out to secure prizes. — Naval officers and seamen raised
for northern lakes. — General Howe's attack on Charleston, and Long Island. — Battle of
Long Island. — American prisoners and /"rfjow-^/n^^j. — Gen. Washington retreats to Har-
lem.— Eight regiments sent to New London to harass the English on Long Island. —
Families flee from Long Island to Connecticut. — Fast Day. — Regiments sent to West-
chester.— Hospital erected. — Nathaniel Hale. — Gen. Washington defeats the British on
East River. — British occupation of New York. — Public and private buildings burned. —
Fort Washington. — Battle of White Plains. — Gen. Washington retires to New Castle and
Gen. Howe to New York. — State of Connecticut Assembly endorsed the Declaration of
Independence. — State, civil and military officers amenable only to the State of Connecticut.
— Charter rights maintained. — Punishment of traitors. — Oath of Fidelity. — Tories
warned. — Counterfeiters punished. — Necessary supplies impressed. — Embargo on food and
clothing. — Women and children plow and plant fields. — Husking parties. — Relief sent to
General Washington. — Captain Samuel Squire to seize all necessary articles for the army.
— Thaddeus Burr sent to Washington's camp. — Eight regiments sent to protect the bor-
ders of the Sound. — Tories sent to western parts of the State. — Gold Sellick Silliman,
Abraham Gold and Jonathan Dimon promoted in Fourth State militia regiment. — Prizes
taken by brig Defence. — Ammunition .sent to Fairfield. — Defeat of Americans on Lake
Champlain. — British fleet off Fairfield and Norwalk. — Guards stationed along the coast.
— Defeat of General Lee at Fort Washington. — Gen. Washington retired from Fort Lee to
Trenton and Pennsylvania. — Washington attacks and defeats the British at Trenton and
Princeton and occupies Morristown Heights. — Gen. Lee taken prisoner. — Great drain of
officers and men from Connecticut. — Twenty-five Connecticut regiments formed into si.\
brigades. — Prices fixed upon labor of all kinds. — Industrial and imported goods. — State
Loan office. — Troops sent to Gen. Washington from western Connecticut. — Thaddeus
Burr one of committee for this design. — Alarm officers and men from sixteen to sixty years
of age to protect coast towns. — Fairfield alarm soldiers. — Troops sent to Rhode Island. —
Care of all sick soldiers. — Gold Selleck Silliman Brigadier General of Fourth State militia
brigade. — State tax. — Guard at New-Field Harbor. — 1777. — Lieut. Samuel Smedley

/ CONTENTS

promoted. — Brig Defence prizes. — Washington sends for all available troops for eastern
New York. — Distribution of other prizes. — Fort Black Rock reinforced. — Rev. John
Sayer sent as a Tory prisoner from Fairfield to Farmington. — Thaddeus Burr to collect
tons of flax for the State; and hundreds of tons of flax and rye to send out of the State. —
Lieut. Samuel Smedley promoted captain of Brig Defence. — Smallpox hospitals. — Fairfield
military guard commanded by Brig. Gen. Silliman. — Troops sent to Fort Black Rock. —
Treaty with the Six Nations. — France tenders supplies to Governor Trumbull. — Silas
Dean, Arthur Lee and Benjamin Franklin sent by Congress commissioners to France,
Prussia and Spain. — France sends arms and ammunition. — Marquis de LaFayette and De
Kalb sail for America. — Families of volunteers supported at the expense of the State. —
Alarm at Fairfield from enemy's ships. — Capt. Samuel Squire to supply two armed ships
to cruise the Sound. — Cannon and ammunition sent to Fairfield and New Field. — General
Silliman to protect stores at Danbury. — All towns called to furnish full military quotas.
— .Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Captain Smedley takes prizes. — General Gates sends for
reinforcements. — British attack on Danbury. — Attack on Gen's Silliman's, Arnold's and
Wooster's forces. — General Wooster mortally wounded. — Battle at Ridgefield. — Lieut. Col.
Abraham Gold killed. — Battle at Saugatuck Bridge. — British sail from Compo to Hunt-
ington, L. I. — Gen. Wooster's valuable services. — Reinforcements sent to Continental
forces. — Gen. Meigs' retaliation. — Troops sent to sea coast. — Connecticut credit. — Ecclesi-
astical laws. — Court-martial regulation. — Three years enlistment. — Taxes. — Battalions
raised to protect towns on the Sound. — Salt manufacturers. — State of Connecticut army
commissions. — Pensions for disabled soldiers. — War Record office. — Deserters. — Ex-
change of prisoners. — Pardon to deserters upon taking State oath of allegiance. — Fairfield
military officers. — Captain Samuel Squire to supply state troops and those at Peekskill
with stores and clothing. — Captain Samuel Smedley sent on naval cruise. — First national
flag. — Troops sent to Fairfield. — Rev. John Sayer returned to Fairfield. — Movements of
Washington. — Gen. Howe's victories on the Delaware. — Movements of Gen. Burgoyne
and Gen. Schuyler. — Gen. Silliman sends troops to Peekskill. — Larger taxes laid on towns.
— Declaration of Independence ordered recorded. — More troops sent to Peekskill. — Sale
of prize goods at Fairfield. — Thaddeus Burr to impress necessarj' provisions and clothing
for the army. — Arnold's victory at Fort Schuyler. — Battle of Bennington. — Thanksgiving.
— Death of Col. David Dimon. — Great economy practiced. — Fortifications of New Field
and Stratfield. — Outburst of patriotism. — Kosciusko's fortifications. — Battle of Bemis
Heights. — Detachments from Fairfield brigade sent under General Silliman to Peekskill
to join General Putnam's forces. — Oath of allegiance and fidelity. — Economic laws and
licenses. — Connecticut and United States bills of credit maintained. — Maintenance of aged
slaves. — Ministers to urge strict honesty and morality. — Reduction of Continental bills
in circulation. — Each state taxed for war expenses. — Prison ships provided. — ;^20,ooo to
supply blankets and wool goods from France and elsewhere. — Connecticut's new issue of
bills of credit. — English defeated at Bemis Heights. — Burgoyne's retreat. — Ticonderoga
taken by Americans. — Renewed courage and hope for victory. — General Silliman sends
fresh troops to Peekskill. — Washington at Valley Forge. — Sufferings of his army. — Wash-
ington censured. — Upheld by the country. — Thanksgiving Day for victories appointed by
Congress throughout the United States. — Military uniforms sent to Washington. — Constant
alarm at Fairfield and neighboring towns. — British Prison ships in New York harbor. —
Hon. John Hancock resigns presidency of Congress. — 1778. — Brighter prospects. — Well
disciplined troops. — An united resolve to conquer. — France recognizes the independence
of the American States. — Joyous news reaches Washington at Valley Forge. — Barrack
masters for each town. — Fresh troops raised and equipped. — Everything needed to be im-
pressed.— Troops for Fairfield. — Clothing sent to .'\merican prisoners in New York. —
Fourth Regiment officers. — Release of prisoners at Fairfield. — Naval officers. — Reception

CONTENTS

of Benjamin Franklin and Silas Dean by French king. — Treaty of amity and peace. —
English offer of almost absolute independence rejected — England declares war against
France. — Large bounties for recruits. — Large taxes and liberal offers to farmers. — New
England states join in uniformity of labor prices. — Six battalions raised for immediate
and constant service. — Day of fasting and prayer. — Extra teams impressed to carry provi-
sions and clothing to New York for troops under Washington. — Guard at New Field
Harbor. — Fairfield military posts. — Petitions for an armed vessel to guard coast. — All the
States aroused to drive the British from the country. — Gen. Lafayette's skillful services to
relieve Washington. — Washington appoints a day of thanksgiving in his army at Valley
Forge. — Great exultation.— Estates of Tories confiscated. — General muster and alarm
forces in Connecticut. — ;^ioo,ooo ordered to be borrowed. — Cattle seized for U. S. army.
Embargo laid on clothing and provisions except for the U. S. A. — Taxes. — Address of Con-
gress sent to each town in the U. S. to be read in each congregation. — Cannon for G rover
Hill Point. — Battle of Monmouth. — British retire to New York. — Washington to White
Plains. — Connecticut coast towns in constant alarm. — Special couriers. — Arrival of Count
D'Estaing's fleet. — French ambassador Gen. Gerard's arrival in Philadelphia. — D'Estaing
sails for Newport. — Washington sends for Connecticut troops to march to Providence,
R. I. — Company sent from Fairfield. — Captain Samuel Smedley sent from Ijoston to seize
enemy's vessels. — Engagement off Newport between D'Estaing and Admiral Byron's Eng-
lish fleet. — Land engagement at Newport. — Forces sent to New London and Fairfield. —
Horse racing forbidden. — Taxes. — Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Ship Defence prize
money. — Massacre at Wyoming and Cherry Valley. — Dec. 30, Thanksgiving Day. — 1779.
— State tax. — Congress calls upon the states for fifteen million dollars. — Connecticut to
raise seventeen hundred thousand dollars. — Heavy taxes to meet this demand. — Mainten-
ance of military officers and private families. — Prize money distribution among naval officers
and seamen. — Sixty thousand pounds distributed among Connecticut soldiers. — Volunteers
sent to Fairfield. — Connecticut towns send relief to Rhode Island sufferers. — Fairfield
sends 1500 bushels of grain. — Spain for once joins against the English. — 1779- — Artillery
officers for Fairfield. — Cap. Smedley sent out against the enemy. — Supplies for Black Rock
Battery. — Family inspection of grain and army supplies made. — Battalions filled, bounties
paid, army paid equivalent to gold and silver. — Shrinkage of Continental Bills of Credit. —
General Silliman taken prisoner.— General Assembly in May at Hartford.— Civil and mili-
tary officers. — Taxes. — Town votes for congressional delegates. — Dueling prohibited. —
Call for full state battalions.— Demand from Fairfield recruits.— Military officers.- Value
of Fairfield estates — Adjoining states call for assistance and supplies. — Wreck of the ship
Defence. — Loss of ship Oliver Cromwell. — Fairfield supplies ammunition to Lieut. Col.
Noadiah Huntington. — The ship Guilford. — British attack New Haven. — British attack
towns I-^airfield, Mill River, and Green's Farms. — Officer and men in Black Rock Fort. —
Penfield Mills saved.— Rev. Andrew Eliot's description of burning of Fairfield.— Pilot of
General Tryon's forces. — Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight's description of the conflagration. —
Major Talmage from White Plains reached Fairfield July gth.- Threat to Mrs. Jonathan
Bulkley.— Heroic women of Fairfield.— Ellen Gold.— Christ Church record.— Rev. Dr.
John Sayerwith family leave with the British army. — Dr. Sayer's letter to the S. P. G. from
Flushing, L. I. — Patriotic zeal increases at Fairfield. — New and temporary homes prepared.
— Patriotic meeting of citizens of Fairfield. — Reward offered for General Tryon. — Gov.
Trumbull and Council order town contribution for Fairfield. — Capt. Caleb Brewster's hero-
ism and ancestry. — General Assembly raises two regiments of 4000 men for Continental
army with supplies. — Demand on Fairfield.— Appeal to Assembly for Fairfield losses. —
Count D'Estaing and General Lincoln defeated at Savannah. — Death of Count Pulaski.
— Recovery of Stony Point and Verplanck by General Wayne. — Attack on the Iroquois. —
Portsmouth and Norfolk retaken from the British. — Spain joins France against the British.

XVI CONTENTS

CHAPTER XV
1780 — 1790

END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES

1780 — Severity of winter. — General Assembly Officers. — Embargo on Provisions. — Recruits
and bounty. — Hartford sends money to Fairfield sufferers. — Order to exchange prisoners.
— Fourth Regiment officers. — Payment of Kills of Credit. — New issue of Bills of Credit.
— Taxes. — Order to borrow money on State credit. — Effort to sustain State credit. — Tax to
rebuild Fairfield Court-house. — Legal rights granted to holder of French estates in
America. — Bills of Congress and Connecticut made legal tender. — Jonathan Buckley's
petition for release as British prisoner granted. — Value of estates at Fairfield. — Order
to exchange General Silliman and other prisoners. — Mrs. Silliman's account of the ex-
change.— Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Exchange of grain, etc., with Boston for build-
ing materials. — Depreciation of currency. — Efforts to relieve the depression. — Tax at
Fairfield. — Account of currency by W. Wheeler. — Causes of depreciation. — Efforts of the
British to sustain a spirit of cheerfulness. — Its failure. — Patriotism of American women.
— Congress calls upon Connecticut for supplies. — Large bounties offered for recruits. —
Supplies of food, etc., from Fairfield. — Indians of Golden Hill. — The visit of Major
Talmage to Fairfield and his victory at Fort George, L. I. — Capt. Caleb Brewster's
brave deeds. — Victories of Paul Jones. — Money and articles sent from Hartford to Fair-
field sufferers. — Companies sent from Fairfield to assist Greenwich. — Destruction and
plunder of privateers — Burning of mills at Mill Plain. — Troops raised for Continental
army. — General Washington's visit to Wethersfield with French Counts to carry on war. —
Treason of Benedict Arnold. — Capture of Major Andre. — Patriotism and industry of
Fairfield women. — 1781. — Washington's efforts to clothe and provide for army. — Death
of Gen. Israel Putnam. — Agent sent from Connecticut to borrow money from France. —
March ist. Final ratification of articles of confederation between States. — Great rejoic-
ing.— Fairfield officers. — Resolve to regain the South. — Battle of Cowpens, King's
Mountain, Guilford Court-house, and Eutaw Springs. — Brilliant victories of Genera!
Green. — Plundering of Cornwallis and Arnold in Virginia. — General Lafayette's forces in
Virginia. — Washington's plan for taking New York. — His resolve to march to Virginia.
— The French fleet in Chesapeake Bay. — Clinton's attack on Tarrytown. — Benedict
Arnold's attack on New London. — Washington reaches Yorktown. — Position of the
French army and fleet. — Position of the American army. — Bravery of Connecticut troops.
— Duke of Lauzun prevents Cornwallis' escape. — Storming of Yorktown. — Surrender of
Cornwallis. — Accounts of the surrender. — Great rejoicing throughout the country. — Gen-
eral Clinton's tardy effort too late. — Washington's proclamatiofi of pardon to criminals. —
Washington appoints day of thanksgiving and prayer for victory. — Signing articles of
peace at Versailles and Paris. — Boundaries of the United States established. — Fisheries
secured. — Washington's proclamation of peace. — Disbands his army. — Fairfield officers
belonging to the Order of Cincinnati. — British evacuate New York. — Bravery of Fair-
field troops and energetic loyalty towards independence. — Fairfield town meeting. —
Tories not allowed to return. — Rebuilding of Congregational and Episcopal churches,
private residences. Academy, and jail. — Equal rights granted to all classes of Christians.
— Sale of Connecticut land west of Pennsylvania granted to the support of churches
and .schools. — First newspaper of Fairfield. — Newfield's (Bridgeport) rapid growth. —
Fairfield a centre of legal and intellectual culture. — Gentlemen of note

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

CHAPTER VII
1700 — 1710

WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS

Dawn of the eighteenth century. — F"ree grammar schools. — Yale College Charter. — The General
Assembly to be held at Hartford and at New Haven. — Fairfield Village changed to Stratfield
and -made a parish. — Tornado at Fairfield. — Death of King William. — Accession of Queen
Anne. — Smallpox town hospitals and maritime laws for vessels. — Slaves. — Court of Assist-
ants held annually at New Haven in October. — A portion of Fairfield school tax to be paid to
Stratfield school.— Grant of grammar school lands.— War declared against France and Spain.
— School tax.— Freeman's fine. — Kenzey's Point. — Indian Sasco Neck land. — School at Bank-
side.— Compo mill.— Grant to John Edwards on Meeting-house Green.— School at Greenfield
Hill. — Clapboard Hill. — Nathan Gold judge of New Haven Court of Assistants.— Peter Burr
one of the Court of Assistants.— Surveyors of Fairfield.— Protection sent to the eastern and west-
ern plantations.— Townships confirmed in their patent rights.— Protection to friendly Indians.
—Reward for taking Indian enemies.— Committee of Safety.— Preparations for defending the
frontier towns. — War tax. — Fairfield military officers. — Queen's Attorney.— Connecticut
Charter in danger.— Burning of Richard Ogden's mill.— Demand of England for masts and
stores.— Repeal of laws against Quakers.— Fast day.— Ministers and families exempt from
taxes.— Drunkenness punished.— Stocks.— Land granted to Rev. S. Wakeman.— Grant of
land for Pequot war service to Capt. Richard Osborn.— Renewal of Long-lots. — Efforts of the
governors of Massachusetts and New York to nullify colony charters.— Sir Henry Ashurst's
defense of the Connecticut Charter in England. — Heavy taxes. — Introduction of the Church of
England. — Unfriendly Indians sent to Fairfield jail. — Refusal of men and arms to the govern-
ors of Massachusetts and New York.— Law of Inhabitants and who to admit.— Charity for
Samuel Carter.— Petitioners of New Fairfield.— Nathan Gold elected Deputy Governor.—
Church of England at Fairfield.— Governors to be elected by the people instead of by magis-
trates—Bankside farmers apply for parish rights.— Grant of parish rights to towns.— Laws for
dissenters from Congregationalism.— The Saybrook Platform.— Impost on home and foreign
liquors. — Election Sermons in towns. — Thanksgiving Day. — Stock of town guns and ammuni-
tion.— Fresh taxes. — Persons exempt from train-band service. — Nathan Gold in charge of
military arms, etc.— Dogs.— Penalty for selling arms, etc., to Indians.— Peter Burr major of
Fairfield County Regiment. — Church of England members disheartened. — Expedition against
Canada, etc. — Failure of the expedition. — Fairfield surgeon and military officers. — Resolve to
renew the expedition. — First issue of paper money. — Petition of Connecticut to the Queen.—
Military affairs. — The sick and wounded at Albany. — Laws for encouraging and improving
military companies. — Young people not to gather on Sabbath evenings, etc.

1700. The dawn of the eighteenth century was pregnant with great
events for the American colonies. The struggle for political and religious

2 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i70o

liberty, which had made rapid progress within the last decades of the past
century, now breathed a spirit of bolder resolution. Out of the dreams
and ambitions of the past, the light of intelligence was framing for the
American people a republic, which was destined to become the greatest
nation of the world. With such wisdom, patient endurance and conscien-
tious zeal had the attainment of this end been conducted by the General
Court and Council of Connecticut, that already they had begun to realize
the day was not far distant when this republic should be firmly estab-
lished. In no town was this aim more zealously pursued than in Fair-
field ; and, alas, no town was destined to sufler more in consequence.

Capt. Nathan Gold, who at this time was an assistant of the General
Court, was made judge of the Fairfield County Court, and Samuel Squire
and Nathaniel Burr deputies. Capt. Jonathan Selleck was made sur-
veyor of Fairfield County. Free grammar schools were ordered to be
kept in the four counties of Hartford, New Haven, New London and
Fairfield. Every town of seventy families was taxed towards the sup-
port of a common school, at the rate of forty shillings upon every thou-
sand pounds. In case any town neglected this order this tax was to be
paid to the public treasury.*

Active measures were being carried on in Fairfield towards the es-
tablishment of a college within the colony. In 1698 ten of the leading
members in Connecticut were appointed to " stand as trustees to found,
erect and govern a college," of which the Rev. Joseph Webb of Fairfield
was one. These gentlemen met at New Haven about this time and
formed themselves into a society of eleven ministers and a rector to
found a college. Each minister present laid upon a table several books,
which they in words " donated, for the founding of a college in this
colony." Forty volumes were given, which were intrusted to the care
of Mr. Russell of Brariford. Donations of other books and money fol-
lowed, so that the trustees were greatly encouraged with the hope that
they would soon have a college for the education of young men nearer
home than Cambridge College. Application was at once made to the
General Assembly for a charter which should make legal this under-
taking. The Hon. James Fitch of Norwich " donated sixteen hundred
acres of land in Killingly, & all the glass & nails which should be necessary
to build a college house & hall."t

* Col. Rec. Conn., i(>S()-i-joCi, p. 331.

f Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I., page 500.

1701] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 3

1 701. The following October the General Assembly granted these
gentlemen " full liberty, right & privilege to erect, form, order, establish
& improve " all suitable ways and means to maintain such a collegiate
school. The trustees were not to exceed eleven, and not less than seven
in number. They were to be above forty years of age, and chosen from
the established or Congregational Church of the colony. An annual tax
of one hundred and twenty pounds was granted out of the public treasury
towards the support of this college. The trustees met in November at
Saybrook and chose the Rev. Abraham Pierson of Killingworth rector
of the college. They also fixed upon Saybrook as the most convenient
place to locate the institution for the time being; but until the rector
could remove thither, it was agreed that the scholars should be instructed
at or near Killingworth. The library was removed from Branford to his
house. Various attempts were made to induce Mr. Pierson to remove
to Saybrook, but his people were wholly unwilling that he should leave
them, and in consequence the students were kept at Killingworth during
his life. The first commencement was held at Saybrook September 13,

1702. The use of a house and land was given by Mr. Nathaniel Lynde at
Saybrook, while the college should continue there. The following year,

1703, a contribution was made throughout the colony towards erecting
a college.*

Captain Nathan Gold was made an Assistant of the General As-
sembly, and Mr. Peter Burr and Lieutenant James Bennet deputies.
Mr. Peter Burr was chosen Speaker of the House.

An act was passed by which the General Assembly, hitherto held at
Hartford, should be held in May at Hartford, and in October at New
Haven. t

The western boundary line of Fairfield Village was fixed, and the
name changed to that of Stratfield.J It was given this name from being
formed out of a part of the east parish of Fairfield and of the west parish
of Stratford, taking a part of the former and latter names to form the
new parish of Stratfield.t

A copy of the new commission for Justices of the Peace in each county
was ordered to be sent to the several towns in colony.

The Rev. Mr. Webb of Fairfield and the Rev. Charles Chauncey of

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I., p. 501-502. Col. Rec. Ccnn., 1089-1706, p. 363.

f Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 343.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, pp. 122, 357.

4 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1702

Stratfield received the thanks of the General Assembly for preaching
election sermons.

In a journal left by the Rev. Mr. Webb, he relates that on the 23d
day of May, 1700, about three o'clock in the afternoon, " a prodigious
tempest of wind, thunder, rain and hail, occurred; the hail stones were
as large as hen's eggs, houses were unroofed, tihe rain fell in such abundance
that it was driven by the wind under the eves & through the chimneys &
roofs into the houses; blew down fences & overturned & destroyed
twenty barns. The full force of the wind of this tornado, and the damage
it did, lasted but three minutes, but the storm continued much longer."

1702. King William died at Hampton Court on the 8th of March,
and his wife. Queen Anne, was at once proclaimed Queen of England,
and crowned in Westminster Abbey on the 23d of April.

Captain Nathan Gold was chosen im Assistant and Lieutenant James
Bennet and Mr. Samuel Squire deputies to the General Assembly.

By an act of the Assembly every seaport town was ordered to have
a house set apart for smallpox patients, and no captain of a vessel was
from this time allowed to enter within a half mile of any harbor without
license from the Governor, Commander-in-Chief or from two Justices
of the Peace. Fairfield was numbered one of eight lawful ports of the
colony. An act was passed for entering and clearing ships and other
vessels, and an offlcer appointed, called the Naval Officer, to attend to
this business.*

In order to prevent persons who owned slaves from setting them at
liberty when they were too old to take care of themselves, an act was
passed causing such owners to support their slaves during their old age.+

The five assistants or judges of the counties of New Haven and Fair-
field were appointed to hold the Court of Assistants at New Haven in
October, and any three of them Avere to constitute a quorum, the eldest
assistant to preside.

The constables of Fairfield and Stratford were ordered to pay a law-
ful portion out of the annual school tax to the school in Stratfield. Cap-
tain Nathan Gold, Lieutenant Jolin W^akeman and Mr. Peter Burr, or
any two of them, were appointed to lay out six hundred acres of land in
the town of I'\-iirfie1d. for the benefit of a grammar school. ^ ■

* Col. Rec. Conn., I689-1706, p. 372.
+ Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 375.
X Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 402.

1703] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 5

In response to a letter of the Privy Council announcin^^' the death of
King William, in which the Queen expressed her good will to her sub-
jects in Connecticut, it was ordered that an address should be drawn up
and sent to the Queen, " to congratulate her upon her majestie's happy
accession to the crown, with thanks for her majestie's grace & favor
manifested to us."* Soon after (May 4th) Queen Anne, the Emperor of
Germany and the States General declared war against France and Spain.
Thus the colonies were again involved in a French and Indian war.

A tax of two pence half-penny was laid on taxable estates in every
town for the maintenance of schools. The town clerks were ordered to
keep a list of the freemen of each town, and to call each freeman's name
at every freeman's meeting, and if any of them was absent without good
cause a fine of two shillings was imposed. f

Dougal McKensey received from the town a grant of land on the
extreme end of Sasco Hill, now known as Kensey's Point. About the
same time the town granted John Barlow a point of land on the opposite
side of Mill River, called the Indian Sasco Neck field.

Captain Nathan Gold and Peter Burr, Esq., were chosen Assistants
and Lieutenant John Wakeman and Mr. Samuel Scjuire deputies from
Fairfield to the General Assembly.

1703. The farmers at Maxumux were given liberty to erect a school-
house on the green about wdiere the present sdiool-house now stands.
Thomas Whitney was granted liberty to build a mill upon Compo Creek. :{:

Forty foot of land by a town vote was granted John Edwards at
Fairfield in front of his house, once the homestead of the Rev. John Jones.
In this way this place was extended out into the Aleeting-house Green
towards the pond.

A portion of the school long-lot was granted to Joseph Bradley in
exchange for other land in the Mile of Common (towards maintaining
a school at Greenfield Hill). Land called Rocky Neck, lying west of the
creek which puts in from Mill River, was also re-purchased of the Indians.

The hill known as Clapboard Hill, and occupied as an Indian reserva-
tion, was now ordered to be purchased for the use of the town. John
Burr and Moses Dimond were granted liberty to erect a saw-mill on
Mill River. John Edwards and John Sturges were given liberty to build
a wharf on the Uncoway River, where the Penfield Mills afterwards stood.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 399. t Col. Rec. Conn., 16S9-1706, p. 398.

I B. Town Votes, 117.

6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1704

Air. Peter Burr of Fairfield was made an Assistant of the General
Court at this time. Captain Nathan Gold was appointed to be Judge of
the Court of Assistants at New Haven.*

Soldiers in the fall were sent against the Eastern and Western Indians.
A C-ommittee of War was organized to send troops to Massachusetts
and the frontier towns. Each township was confirmed in its patent rights.

1704. A special Assembly was holden in Hartford on the T5th of
March, when the civil and military commissioned officers were required
to care for the friendly Indians, and to set them their limits, that none
of them should harbor or be exposed to the influence of unfriendly In-
dians. A premium of ten pounds was offered to any one who should
deliver up an unfriendly Indian. Suitable houses were ordered to be for-
tified in each town. Si.xty men were to be sent to garrison the County
of Hampshire, sixteen of whom were to be sent from Fairfield County.
Mr. John Burr, Jr., son of Major John Burr, was appointed a Commissary
for the County of Fairfield. t At the meeting of the General Assembly
at Hartford May nth, Captain Nathan Gold and Mr. Peter Burr were
chosen Assistants, Ensign John Osborn and Sergeant John Burr deputies
for Fairfield. Captain Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr and Captain John
Wakeman of Fairfield were appointed on a committee of public safety
for Fairfield County. The frontier towns in the colony were ordered not
to be broken up, as they were to be properly guarded. No male person
from sixteen years old and upward was allowed to leave any of the towns,
under a penalty of ten pounds. The selectmen in every town in the
colony were ordered to provide a sufficient numl)er of knapsacks and
hatchets, with strong belts for them, for every sixth man in each train-
band ; snow-shoes were also to be provided, and the troops held in readi-
ness to march in sunnner or winter. Encouragement was offered to
friendly Indians to enlist as volunteers. Drums were ordered to be beaten
for raising volunteers. A rate of a half-penny was levied on all the in-
habitants of the colony. Ensign John Osborn was apJDointed captain and
Sergeant John Hawley lieutenant for the soldiers raised in Fairfield
County.:}:

Captain Nathan (iold was made Judge of the County Court and Pro-
bate Court of Fairfield.

It was also made a law that in every county " a sober, discreet (!v

* t:ol Rcc. Conn., 16S9-1706, p. 412. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 458.

I Col. Rcc. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 465.

17051 WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 7

religious person should be appointed by the County Court, called the
Queen's Attorney, to suppress vice & immorality."

1705. The chartered rights of the Connecticut Colony were still
threatened by the ambitious intrigues of Governor Dudley of Massachu-
setts and Lord Cornbury, then governor of New York. Both hoped by
their influence in England and by their representations to parliament of
the necessity and value of uniting all the English colonies under one
government, to thus deprive the colonies of their charters and the land
holders of their chartered landed estates from the General Courts. But
our wise forefathers appointed Sir Henry Ashurst, a firm friend of the
colonies, their agent to protect and plead with the court party of Eng-
land for their chartered privileges. In the latter part of King William's
reign a bill to unite all the colonies was prepared, and upon the accession
of Queen Anne it was presented to parliament. But so earnestly and
impressively did Sir Henry Ashurst plead the chartered rights of the
colonies before the Lords, spiritual and temporal, May 3, 1701, that it
could not be carried through the House. Again, in 1704, Governors
Dudley and Cornbury made a direct declaration that Connecticut, " while
not guilty of mal-administration, piracy, or any illegal trade, yet she had
illegally & fraudulently possessed herself of large tracts of lands belonging
to gentlemen residing in & out of the colony, & to Owaneco a Mohegan
chief." In an article of complaints other grave charges were brought
against Connecticut.

The Assembly appointed Governor John Winthrop, Captain Nathan
Gold and Mr. Peter Burr, with four other gentlemen, to be a committee
to consider the complaints laid against the colony in England, and to
furnish their agent in England with directions and information, in order
to answer said complaints. They were also instructed to inquire into
the complaints of Owaneco. Before the Queen had heard from the
Connecticut agent, she appointed Governor Dudley and eleven others
to examine into and determine the whole afTair. These men soon after
gave judgment against the colony.

Sir Henry Ashurst meanwhile had not been idle, and the following
year appealed to her Majesty's Council, and so ably and skilfully pre-
sented the facts of the situation that in consequence her Majesty ap-
pointed a commission of review. For seventy years this matter remained
unsettled; but the first decision of King George III. in Council was in
favor of Connecticut. During all these years Connecticut continued to

8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1706

flourish and in the wise and even tenor of her ways to act under her
chartered hberties, and in confirming her chartered privileges to the
planters of each town.

1705. Captain Nathan Gold and Peter Burr, Esq., were made Assist-
ants, and Lieutenant John Wakeman and Mr. John Burr deputies for
Fairfield to the General Assembly. The town was visited with a sad
calamity this year in the burning of Richard Ogden's mill, which was
afterwards rebuilt. To burn a mill in those days was a serious matter
to the inhabitants of any town.

Captain Nathan Gold was again appointed Judge of the County and
Probate Courts of Fairfield.

Captain John Wakeman, Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman and Samuel
Squire were appointed ofificers of the train-band for the east end of the
town of Fairfield; and Captain John Osborn, Lieutenant John "Barlow
and Ensign Theophilus Hull ofificers for the company at the west end
of the town. Messrs. Peter Burr, Sergeant Richard Hubbell and Lieu-
tenant John Barlow were appointed to make a list of the freemen of
Fairfield.

Byan act of parliament the colonies were ordered to supply her Majesty
with masts and stores for her navy and other shipping. Captain Natlian
Gold was appointed one of a company of thirty to supply this demand.
Thus our fine forest trees were hewn, and the colony forced to support
the English navy and shipping interests.*

During this year a distinguished French gentleman named Anthony
Nougier settled at Fairfield, who became an honored and useful resident
of the town.t

1706. Captain Nathan CjoIcI and Mr. Peter l)urr were again elected
Assistants, and Captain John Wakeman and Mr. John Edwards deputies
from Fairfield to the General Assembly. The law against heretics, so
far as it respected Quakers, was repealed. Hitherto Quakers had not
been allowed to remain in the colony under a penalty of five pounds
against any town that entertained them. They were fined and impris-
oned if they remained in the colony. " Any pers-m who should unneces-
sarily discourse with them " was made liable to a lino of 20 shillings.
A fine was imposed upon masters of ships who landed them in the colony,
and also upon anyone who read their books. The repeal of this law was
made through the influence of Sir Henry Ashurst. tlie Governors of

* Col. Rcc. Conn., i68(;-i7o6, p. 523. f .Vppciulix Ccnealogical.

I705] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 9

Massachusetts and New York having entered this law against the Quak-
ers in their bill of complaints to the English government.

The last Thursday in May was appointed a day of fasting and prayer.*

In the October sitting of the General Assembly at New Haven all
ministers and their families were made exempt from paying taxes of any
kind.f Several other acts of importance were passed.

Drunkenness, " whereby a man was bereaved or disabled in his under-
standing, speech or gesture," was fined ten shillings.:}; All public and
private tippling was forbidden under a penalty of forty shillings against
the heads of families where it took place. If the offenders had not means
to pay fines, then they were to be " set in the stocks not more than three
hours & not less than one hour." Every town in the colony was ordered
" to maintain at their own expense a good pair of stocks with lock &
key to secure offenders," under a penalty of ten shillings a month against
selectmen who failed to comply with this law.

Captain Nathan Gold and Mr. Peter Burr were appointed to lay out
to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman two hundred acres of land granted to
him May 8, 1703, as well as to lay out to Richard Osborn of Fairfield
eighty acres of land for his good services in the Pequot War.§

The town appointed a committee to renew the highways between
the Long lots, and to survey them as exact as possible, according to their
first laying out, and make a report to the town.

The towns throughout the colony were greatly pleased at this time
to receive assurances from Sir Henry Ashurst that, in spite of all the
demands, expense and impositions practised upon them by Governors
Dudley and Cornbury, " they had a clear right to command their own
militia; & that the governors of the neighboring colonies had no right
to demand their men or money, nor were they under any obligations to
them beyond furnishing such quotas as her Majesty required."

This was joyous news for the colony of Connecticut, which had been
put to great expense by the ill-disposed methods in which Dudley and
Cornbury had drained them of men and resources. To such expenses
had the colony been reduced by these extortions, that the General As-
sembly was forced at this time " to levy a tax of more than two shillings
on the pound, on the whole taxable list of the colony," li of which Fair-

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 547. t Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 2.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, p. 5. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1 7 16, p. ii.

I Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I., p. 451.

lO HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i7o6

field bore her proportion. These taxes, says Mr. Trumbull, " were laid
& collected on grain, pork & beef & other articles of produce; & were
taken to Boston & shipped for the West Indies, from the sale of which
money & bills of exchange were made to pay the bills drawn upon the
colony in England, & to discharge its debts at home."

Since the opening of this century a new religious element had arisen,
which threatened secession from the long Established Church of the
colony. From its beginning Connecticut had allowed only the Congre-
gational mode of worship. We have, therefore, now reached a very
interesting epoch in the ecclesiastical afifairs of the town of Fairfield. In
the year 1701 a society was established by the Church of England for
the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. One special object of
this society was to instruct the American Indians and African slaves in
the doctrines of the Christian religion. It appears that several mission-
aries from this society were sent to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New
York and New Jersey before one was sent to Connecticut. The Rev.
Mr. Muirson of Rye, in the province of New York, where the Church of
England was the established church, was the first clergyman who intro-
duced the service of the Church of England to the people of Fairfield.
It appears that he had been invited by a few English families at Stratford,
who had removed there from New York, to visit and preach in that town.
Mr. Trumbull says: "The ministers & people in that & the adjacent
towns, it seems were alarmed at his coming, & took pains to prevent
their neighbors & families from hearing him. However, the novelty of
the afTair & other circumstances brought together a considerable as-
sembly, & Mr. Muirson baptized five & twenty persons, principally
adults." Colonel Heathcote of New York accompanied him to Stratford
upon this occasion.*

* "Colonel Ileatlicote was Judge of Westchester, and Colonel of its militia all his life; first
Mayor of the borough of Westchester ; a counsellor of the Province ; Mayor of New York for three
years ; for a time Commander of the Colony's forces, and from 1715 to the time of his death Receiver
General of the Customs in North America. He was also one of the founders of Trinity Church,
New York." Bolton's Church in Westchester County. He resided at Mamaroneck and was very
zealous in spreading the influence of the Church of England wherever he found an opportunity.

In 1679 a number of Episcopalians living in Boston petitioned King Charles that they might bo
allowed to exercise the rights and usages of the Church of England. The petition was granted and
they soon after erected King's Chapel. — In a letter written "To the Archbishop of Canterbury, the
Bishop of London and all others, the Honorable Members of the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel, by the Rev. Mr. Keith, dated Nov. 2g. 1702, he gives an interesting account of his mission,
ary works after his arrival in Boston June 11, of the same year. He says: "In divers places in
New England where we travelled, wc found many well affected to the Cluirch, not only the people-

1707] WAR WITH THE FRENCH OND INDIANS II

1707. A special Council of War, of which Mr. Peter Burr was a
member, was held at Hartford on the 6th of February, to take into con-
sideration a letter sent to them from Deputy-Governor Treat; and also
a letter from Colonel Schuyler, informing the Council he had informa-
tion that the French and their Indian allies were about to make a descent
upon the frontier towns of New England. The Photatuck and Owian-
tonuck Indians were also reported to be in league with them. The Coun-
cil at once resolved to send Captain John Minor and Mr. John Sherman of
Woodbury with all convenient speed to " remove the said Indians to
Fairfield & Stratford." But if sickness prevailed among them, then to
take some of their principal persons and convey them to Fairfield, to be
kept safely as hostages to secure the fidelity of those that remained in
those inland places. The frontier towns of Synisbury, Waterbury, Wood-
bury and Danbury were ordered to fortify themselves immediately, and
to send out scouts daily to watch the enemy.*

At a special meeting of the General Assembly holden in Hartford
April 2(1, by order of Governor John Winthrop, he informed those pres-
ent that the occasion of calling them together was on account of receiv-
ing a letter from Governor Dudley requesting forces to be sent from
Connecticut to assist him in an expedition against the French and Indians
in Acadia and Nova Scotia. On the 3d of April Assistant Nathan Gold
was made one of a committee to consider and prepare a letter in reply
to Governor Dudley's. A letter w^as drawn up, presented and approved
by both houses, in which it was stated : " They did not consider it their

but several Presbyterian ministers in New England, who received us as brethren, and requested us
to preach in their congregations, as accordingly we did. These were Mr. John Cotton (a grandson
of old John Cotton) the Presbyterian minister at Hampton, where I preached twice, and Mr. Talcot
once, having very great auditories ; Mr. Gushing, a Presbyterian minister at Salisbury, eight miles
distant from Hampton westward, where we both preached on a Sunday, and I had a great auditory ;
Mr Gordon Saltonstall at New London, fifty miles westward from the Narragansetts, where we both
preached on a Sunday ; the people generally well affected, and those three ministers aforesaid, all
worthy gentlemen, who declared their owning the Church of England, and that if they were in Eng-
land, they would join in external communion with her ; and were there a bishop in America, we
doubt not but several would receive ordination from him."

Among the churches enumerated in New England in 1696 in Cotton Mather's Magnalia (Chapt.
8, B. I.) he states that in the County of Suffolk, Mass. : " There is a small congregation that wor-
ship God with the ceremonies of the Church of England ; served generally by a change of persons,
occasionally visiting these parts of the world." Altogether the county of Suffolk seems to have been
an independency of itself, for Mather again states, that in that town there was, "also another small
congregation o{ A Hff/>edo Bap/is^s, " with a settled minister named Mr. Emblin. And 2^ french
congregation of Protestant Refugees, under the pastorate of Monsieur Daille."

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, p. 15.

12 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1707

duty to comply with his request, & therefore for clivers reasons do decline
the same; & what may be further expected of like nature do altogether
discourage from joining in any such enterprises."*

The Assembly met again May 8th, and held its session until the 22d.
Mr. Jonathan Sturges was present as one of the deputies from Fairfield.
An addition was made to the law entitled :

"Inhabitants & whom to admit, That if any transient person should take up his or
her abode in any town, contrary to the estabHshed law of the colony, without the authority
of the select-men, said person should pay twenty shillings for the use of the poor; & if
after due warning to depart, he refused to leave & had no estate to satisfy a fine, then
such person after the expiration of ten days was ordered, " to be whipt on the naked body,
not exceeding ten stripes." f

One Samuel Carter of Deerfield, who had been attacked by the French
and Indians, who had rified his house, destroyed his cattle, killed his wife
and three children, and had four other children taken into captivity, one
of whom was redeemed by paying twenty-five pounds, was recommended
by the Governor and Council to the charity of New Haven and Milford
and to the several towns in the County of Fairfield.

At the October session of the Assembly, held in New Haven on the
9th, a petition was offered by Captain Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr,
Captain John Wakeman, John Edwards, Jonathan Sturgis, John Barlow,
Gideon Allyn, Samuel Wilson, Samuel Jennings, Moses Dinion and Jos-
eph Wakeman, all inhabitants of Fairfield, for a certain tract of land lying-
north of Danbury, to be laid out for a township, the boundaries of which
were: " Southerly by Danbury, running north fourteen miles; easterly by
New Milford & westerly by the colony line." This petition was granted,
the regulations of which were to be subject to the judgment of the As-
sembly. This tract was afterwards called New Fairfield. It was not.
however, settled for some time, on account of the war with the l-'rcnch
and Indians.:}:

The death of Governor John Winthrop was the cause of calling the
Assembly together at New Haven, December 17th, to elect a new gov-
ernor. Mr. Gurdon Saltonstall was elected by a majority of both houses,
and Captain Nathan Gold was made one of a committee to announce to
Mr. Saltonstall that he had been chosen governor. The governor's oath
was administered to him January i, 1708.

The Church of England services were this year again held in a private

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 17. \ Col. Roc. Conn., 1706-1717, p. 21.
J Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 34.

I707] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS I3

family at Fairfield by the Rev. Mr. Muirson, where he baptized a number
of adults and children. He was accompanied by Colonel Heathcote, " to
whose prudence & the eminence of his station, as he was a man of great
consequence among" them," Mr. Muirson attributed his success. The
excitement caused by this effort to establish the Church of England in
Connecticut was very great.

Among those of the New England colonists who were ranked under
the name of Puritans there were many who had not separated from the
Church of England, but had differed from that body in regard to cer-
tain errors which, from time to time, had crept in, or had been thrust
upon them by the Church of Rome. They, too, had been subject to the
same persecutions which the Congregationalists, Presbyterians and all
other dissenting churches had endured; but when the Mother Church,
purified from these errors, was presented to them by her missionaries,
they welcomed her services with tears of joy. How touching and beauti-
ful must her prayers, the Gloria in Excelsis, the grand Te Deum and the
Benedicite. have sounded to them on this side of the Atlantic ! Not all,
however, who appeared pleased with the introduction of the Church of
England in the colonies were honest by any means. Some were attracted
by novelty; others thought to escape being taxed for the support of
religion; while there were others who were from that leaven of evil which
since time immemorial, from an inherent love of opposition and mischief-
making, as natural to them as the air they breathe, have existed in all
Christian bodies, and who are classed by our Saviour under the head of
tares. Those, however, who professed to favor the Church of England
were but few in number when compared with the multitude belonging
to the Congregational or the Estabhshed Church of the Colony.

From an account given at this time by Colonel Heathcote to the
Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, it is shown
how our forefathers were, many of them, greatly opposed to the intro-
duction of the Church of England in Fairfield. He wrote :

" It would be absolutely necessary for the better & more easy effecting this great &
good work, that an order be procured from her Majesty, requiring the government of that
Colony not to force any of her subjects to pay for the maintenance of the minister settled
by their laws, & to repeal that act whereby they pretend to refuse liberty of conscience to
those of the Established Church. If these grievances were re-dressed, which in itself is
very reasonable & proper, & not much more than hath been granted the Quakers, on their
petition against the same government, it would be of greater service to the Church than
can at first sight be imagined."

14 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^707

In the same letter he recalls some mention having been made in a
previous letter:

—of a very ingenious gentleman at Stratford, one Mr. Reed, the Minister of that place,
who is very inclinable to the Church, & if the charge can be dispensed with, he is well
worth the gaining, being much the most ingenious man they have amongst them, & would
be very capable to serve the Church. By reason of the good inclination he shows for the
Church, he has undergone persecution by his people, who do all in their power to starve
him ; & being countenanced & encouraged therein by all the ministers round them, they
have very near affected him ; so that if any proposal could be made for his coming over
for ordination, his family, which is pretty large, must be taken care of in his absence."

In a letter from Mr. Muirson to the Secretary, dated April 4, 1707,
which was written about two months after Colonel Heathcote's com-
munication, he relates his experience with the magistrates of Stratford,
and says :

" One of the magistrates came to my lodging on Saturday evening. & read a long
paper in the hearing of Col. Heathcote, & a great many people ; the meaning of it was to
let me know that theirs was a chartered government ; that I had done an illegal thing in
coming among 'em to establish a new way of worship, & to forewarn me from preaching
any more."

The law was also read to him, and he goes on to say :

" I was lately invited to preach & baptize some children in a town called Fairfield ;
upon which, I sent a letter to the minister & magistrates of said town, entreating the use
of their meeting-house, supposing they would really grant it, being on a week day; but
they refused it, & told me they would discountenance such new ways. A gentleman was
so kind as to invite me to his house, where, notwithstanding all the stratagems they used to
hinder the people from coming, I had a large congregation ; but so cruelly was the
Independent party set against us, that they railed & scoffed at the Church, making her
as idolatrous as Rome, & denied us the liberty of ringing the bell, or beating a drum to
give the people notice."

Mr. Muirson was accompanied on this missionary visit to Stratford
and Fairfield by the Rev. Mr. Evans, another missionary of the Society,
who reported that they " found a considerable number of people in a
ready disposition to be received into the Church, flexible to invitations,
& only wanting occasions of instruction."

A letter from Colonel Heathcote to the Secretary, dated .April 14,
1707, relates that Mr. Reed was turned out of his church on account
of his tendencies to the Church of England. He calls the Rev. Mr. Evans
" an extraordinary good man, & one that hath done very great service
to the Church, not only in Philadelphia, but in other neighboring towns."*

* Doc. Hist. I'rol. Kpisc. Churcli, U. S. A., by Francis L. Hawks, D.D., LL.D., and
William Stevens I'crry, A.M., p. 19.

I70S] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 1 5

1708. On the 5th of January the Assembly passed a law that the
governor should be chosen by the people instead of by the magistrates
in nomination as had been previously the case.*

On the 13th of May the General Assembly and Court of Election
were held at Hartford, where Nathan Gold and Peter Burr were chosen
Assistants, and Ensign Theophilus Hull and Mr. John Burr as deputies
to the General Assembly. Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., was chosen gover-
nor for the ensuing year. Captain Nathan Gold was chosen deputy
governor.f

The inhabitants of the west farms of Fairfield petitioned that they
might be granted liberty to settle among them an orthodox minister of
the gospel. The matter was recommended to the consideration of the
reverend elders in the County of Fairfield, and to make their report at
the October session of the Assembly.^

It was decided at this time " that the major part of the inhabitants
of a town who were entitled to vote, & were in full communion with the
Church, should have full power to call & settle a minister, any law, usage,
or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. And that all agreements
made by them respecting the settlement & maintenance of a minister,
should be binding upon the whole of said town or society."§

As concerning Dissenters from the lawful way of worship, " That if any such persons
should qualify themselves according to an act made in the first year of the late King
William & Queen Anne, granting liberty to worship God in a way separate & apart from
that which is by law established, they shall enjoy the same liberty & privilege within the
colony without any let or hindrance or molestation whatever. Provided always, that
nothing herein shall be construed to the prejudice of the rights & privileges of the
churches by law established in this government, or to the excusing any person from
paying any such minister or town dues as are now or shall hereafter be due them." *

Owing to misunderstandings in regard to the government of the
Congregational Church, and for a nearer union among the churches, it
was advised that the ministers of the several counties in the colony should
meet together in their county towns, on the last Monday in June, with
messengers from each church, to agree upon more definite rules for the
management of ecclesiastical affairs. At the time of their meeting two
or more or their number were to be appointed to meet at Saybrook at
the next college commencement, for the purpose of devising a form of

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 39. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 41.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 42. § Col. Kec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 48, 50.

l6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD l^loS

ecclesiastical discipline to be presented to the fall term of the General
Assembly.*

The Synod met May 13th, and the messengers chosen from Fairfield
County were the Rev. Charles Chauncey of Stratfield and Rev. John
Davenport of Stamford. The time appointed for meeting was at Say-
brook, September 9th, when the Savoy Confession of Faith, with only a
few alterations, was accepted. It was called the Saybrook Platform of
Faith. This platform was approved of by the fall Assembly, and adopted
as the instrument by which the established church and college of the
colony should be governed.

It was made a law that the regular Council appointed to assist the
Governor in maintaining the affairs of the colony according to their
charter were not to raise men or money to send out of the colony, unless
in case of exigency.!

The elders of the County of Fairfield were appointed to meet at Fair-
field the last Monday in June to invite and call some special person to
settle in their ministry; and whoever they saw fit to call should be main-
tained and supported until they agreed to settle a minister among them.

A home impost was levied on all liquors towards defraying the ex-
penses of the colony, at the rate of fourpence a gallon on wine, rum,
brandy and distilled liquors, twelve pence on each barrel of cider and two
pence per gallon on metheglin. Every public and private house was sub-
ject to this fine, under a penalty of forfeiture, if not duly reported to the
authorities. A duty was also levied on all imported liquors, at the rate
of fifty shillings for a pipe of wine, rum or brandy, or other distilled
liquors. A custom-house officer was ordered to be appointed in each
county to collect these customs, and to employ as many officers under
him as he should need to assist him in collecting said duties. He was
authorized to seize all 'home liquors not reported, as well as such as
should be landed without paying duty. The delinquents were subject to
arrest and trial before each county court, and to be prosecuted from
court to court till the case was ended. Black Rock was made the port
for collecting these custom^ for Fairfield.

The ministers in the several towns were directed to preach an annual
sermon proper for direction in the choice of civil rulers, on the day of
election. This appears to have been the origin of town election sermons, t

* Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 51, 87. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 32.
J Col. Rec. Conn., 1 706-1 716, p. 61.

i7o8] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS I7

Peter Burr, Esq., was appointed Judge of the County Court of Fair-
field, and Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Judge of the Probate Court.

At the fall session of the Assembly, holden at New Haven, only one
constable was appointed in each town, society or village, to make up
and collect the annual taxes, with the treasurer of the town, etc.

The second Wednesday in November was appointed a day of public
thanksgiving throughout the colony, and " all unnecessary servile labor "
was forbidden.*

The selectmen of each town were ordered to supply " a stock of
ammunition, & a stock, also, of arms for the poor if need be."

Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was granted forty pounds salary for
the year.

" Seven pence on the pound was levied on all rateable estates to pay the public
expense, viz. : wheat at six shillings a bushel, rye three shillings a bushel, six pence on
Indian corn a bushel ; pork three pounds fifteen shillings a barrel ; beef forty-five shillings
a barrel; or if any person was disposed to pay his or her taxes in money at fifteen penny-
weight for six shillings, it should be accepted at two-thirds." f

All persons above the age of forty-five were released from serving in
the train-bands, but not from keeping arms and ammunition, nor from
voting in the choice of their commissioned officers. Every sentinel was
ordered to appear complete in his arms on the regular training days, or
pay a fine of five shillings. +

The tax upon cider and metheglin was repealed. The constables and
treasurers of the County of Fairfield were required to make all their tax
collections on or before the first week in June.

Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was ordered to take charge of " one
barrel of powder with lead & flints " for the use of the soldiers in the
county. He was also given authority to erect two garrisons at Wood-
bury, Danbury and Oweantenuck, and support them with men and pro-
visions at the expense of the colony.

Fifty pounds was allowed for bringing up and maintaining dogs tor
the northern frontier towns, to hunt after the Indian enemies, to be always
ready for the service of the colony. §

A severe penalty was inflicted upon those who sold guns or ammuni-
tion to the Indians.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 72. f Col, Rec. Conn., T706-1716, p. 82.
J Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 83. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 86.
2

l8 HISTORY OF FAIRRIELD [1709

Mr. Peter Burr was appointed major of the Fairfield County militia
regiment.*

The introduction of the services of the Church of England into Fair-
field do not seem to have met with much success this year; on the con-
trary, they met with great opposition. In a letter written by the Rev.
Mr. Muirson to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, he says:

"They call the Church of England the sister of Rome." On the 9th of January, 1708,
he writes to the Secretary: "And though every Churchman pay his rates for the building
& repairing their meeting-houses, yet they are so maliciously set against us, that they deny
us the use of them, though on week days. They tell our people that they will not suffer
the house of God to be defiled with idolatrous worship. They say the sign of the cross
is the mark of the beast, & the sign of the Devil. & those who receive it are given to the
Devil." f

It seems that in 1707 several gentlemen in Stratford formed them-
selves into a Church of England Society and petitioned the Queen that
they might be allowed to enjoy the freedom of the services of that Church,
and also to be made exempt from paying taxes towards the support of
the Congregational Society. Before they received a reply to their peti-
tion the Rev. Mr. Muirson was taken from them, he having died in
October of this year. The Rev. John Talbot wrote, February 14, 1708,
of the Rev. Mr. Muirson : " The people of Norwalk and Fairfield are reach-
to break open their meeting-house doors & let him in if he would sufler
them." They had hoped to enjoy the regular services of Mr. Muirson in
their society and to unite with Fairfield in his maintenance. His death
was a great blow to them, and their past efforts to establish the Church
now seemed almost hopeless. For some years the churchmen of Strat-
ford and Fairfield were visited only occasionally by missionaries stationed
at New York and New Jersey, among whom were the Rev. Messrs.
Talbot, Sharpe and Bridge. Mr. Sharpe upon one of his \'isits spent a
month at Stratford, and baptized a number of people both in Stratford
and Fairfield.

1709. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 12th.
Nathan Gold w^s re-elected Deputy Governor, Peter Burr an Assistant
and Captain John Osborn and Mr. James Bennet deputies from Fairfield.

A letter from Queen Anne, dated March 2. 1709. to Governor Salton-
stall, requiring the assistance of her subjects in the colony in an expedi-

*Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716. p. 38.

f Hist. Prot. Episcopal Church. Hishops Hawks and Terry, p. 30.

lyog] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS I9

tion to be immediately made against the French in Canada. Acadia and
New Foundland, was laid before the Assembly. Connecticut was directed
to raise three hundred and fifty men to be sent on the expedition.

Anxious to be freed from the common enemies of the colonies, who
had constantly harassed, murdered and plundered their frontier towns,
and burned and laid waste their homes and plantations, the .Assembly
without hesitation granted to arm and equip the number of troops re-
quired. All the towns in the colony were to send their quota of men,
and thirteen men w-ere to be sent from Fairfield.*

This expedition w^as, by the advice of the Earl of Sunderland to her
Majesty, to be dispatched from Boston by the middle of May, with five
regiments of regular troops. Twelve hundred of these troops were to
be sent from the towns east of Connecticut, thoroughly equipped and
prepared with " transports, fiat-bottomed boats, pilots & provisions for
three months," to make an attack upon Quebec. Fifteen hundred men
were to be raised and sent from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and
the southern colonies. They were to proceed by way of the lakes and
make an attack upon Montreal.

Colonel WilHam Whiting was given the conmiand of the Connecticut
troops.

Ex-Lieutenant Governor Nichols of New York was appointed to com-
mand the troops by land as far as Wood Creek, and there aw^ait the
arrival of the English fleet at Boston. " More than a hundred batteaux &
an equal number of birch canoes were constructed for crossing the lakes.
Three forts, block iiouses & stores for provisions were erected." But
the fleet from Eng'land did not arrive, on account of the defeat of the
Portuguese, which caused the fleet destined for America to be sent to
Portugal. The troops of the colonies returned home in the fall, greatly
disheartened and chagrined at the failure of the expedition. Many of
them had died, and Connecticut lost about ninety of her men. But it
was resolved not to give up the undertaking, but to await the opening
of spring, when, with the friendly assistance of the Five Nations, they
hoped to continue the war. Governor Saltonstall visited New York for
the purpose of holding a consultation with the governors of the other
provinces as to the best mode to prosecute the war.f

Moses Dimon was appointed lieutenant and Mr. John Wheeler en-
sign of the train-band of Fairfield. Lieutenant John Wheeler of Strat-

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 90, 93. f Trumbull's Hist. Conn., 2, 457.

20 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1709

field was appointed surgeon and physician to go with the expedition to
Canada.*

On the 8th day of June a special Assembly was convened by order
of the Governor and Council at New Haven. Governor Saltonstall laid
before the Assembly the result of his visit to New York, and that the gov-
ernors of New York and New Jersey and Pennsylvania were thoroughly
in favor of another expedition. All necessary arrangements were made to
further this agreement, as the colonics were inspired with the hope that
their French and Indian enemies would be brought into subjection.

To such straits had the colony been reduced by the drain upon its
treasury that the first paper money in Connecticut was issued by this
Assembly, consisting of bills of credit upon the colony from two shillings
to five pounds, the whole sum to amount to eight thousand pounds.
These bills were to be taken and accepted in payment for the public debts
at the advance of I2d. on the pound. Bills to the amount of four thousand
pounds were to be first signed and issued, the remaining four thousand
to be left unsigned until further orders. For the repayment and drawing
in of these bills of credit and for defraying any further charges of the
colony a rate of tenpence on the pound was granted to be paid into the
treasury, one-half to be levied against the heads of the next list of public
taxes, to be paid into the treasury before or by IVlay i, 1710. and the
other half on or before May i, 1711. The planters were to pay this tax
either in bills of credit, silver money or in pork at fifty shillings per bar-
rel, or beef at thirty shillings per barrel, winter wheat at four shillings
per bushel, rye at two shillings fourpence per bushel and Indian corn
at two shillings per bushel." all to be in good order and signed with
the packer's mark.f This issue with all others up to 1740 were called
old tenor bills.

The following note gives a correct description of the three shilling bill
issued at this time:

CONNECTICUT.

No. 1237 3S-

THIS INDENTED BILL OF THREE SHILLINGS

Due from tlic Cfilony of Connecticut in New England to the Possessor tlicrcof shall be in
value equal to Money. And shall be accordingly accepted by the Treasurer and Receiver
subordinate to him ; for any stock at any time in ye Treasury. Hartford, July the twelfth,
.Anno Dnm. : 1709. By order of ye General Court.

John Eliot, ^
John IIavnes, j- Conunittee.
John Chester, )
* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 99. f Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 11 r, 112.

lyog] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 21

On the left of the committee signatures was the seal of the Colony
of Connecticut with the grape-vines and our motto, " Qui Transtulit
Sustinet." (He who transplanted still sustains.)

The list of estates at Fairfield this year were valued at £16,708 i6s.

Governor Saltonstall was appointed by the Assembly to visit Eng-
land and to present to the Queen and her Council for the well-being of the
colonies the absolute necessity of prosecuting this war against the French
and Indians. At the October session of the Assembly Captain Theophilus
Hull, Lieutenant Samuel Couch and Ensign John Osborn were confirmed
as officers of the west train-band of Fairfield; and Captain David Hubbell,
Lieutenant Samuel Hubbell and Ensign Richard Hubbell for the village
of Stratfield.

It appears that Colonel Whiting's Connecticut troops were some of
them ill and in a sad condition at Albany. The Assembly ordered that
the sick should be conveyed home by water and provided with every
comfort, and that those able to move should march as speedily as pos-
sible, and Colonel Whiting was ordered to have his officers to disband
their men when they reached home.*

Laws for the improvement of militia companies were passed, and for
calling out troops for her Majesty's service. Major Peter Burr, Captain
Joseph Wakeman and Captain Theophilus Hull of Fairfield, with Mr.
Joseph Curtis of Stratford, were appointed a committee of war for Fair-
field County, to care for and defend the Connecticut frontier towns
against the enetny.f

An act was passed to prevent young people from meeting in the
evenings of the Sabbath Day; and if any sojourner, or any young person
under the government of parents or masters, should meet in the streets,
or elsewhere, or on the Sabbath or any public fast day or lecture day,
they should be taken before a Justice of the Peace, and, if convicted,
" pay a fine of five shillings to the public treasury, or be set in the stocks
not more than two hours; provided this act should not be construed to
hinder the meeting of young persons upon religious occasions.

In no town in the colony were the inhabitants more energetic and
responsive to the call of the Governor and the General Assembly in rais-
ing men and money for the furtherance of the expedition against the
French and Indians than Fairfield. Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was
constantly active in all the duties of his various offices. Major Peter

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 123. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 130.

22 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1709

Burr, the Captains Burr, Hubbell and Wakeman, with other officers, were
busy in drilling and equipping their men for any emergency, either for
the protection of the frontier towns near them or for the expeditions by
land or water against the enemy. The town clerk and treasurer were
constantly occupied in collecting the revenue, town and colony taxes.
The mothers and daughters of Fairfield were equally busy in preparing
clothing, stockings and bread for their fathers and sons, for everything
was home made in those days. The spinning-wheel and the flax-looms
were in constant use. and many a garment was wet with tears, lest their
loved ones should never return. In all these undertakings, privations
and hardships our forefathers struggled for the independence of our
beloved country.

CHAPTER VIII
1710 — 1720

CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

Election of officers. — Bills of credit. — Counterfeiting. — Council of War. — Efforts to capture
Canada. — Queen Anne's letter. — Response to the Queen's letter. — Troops ordered out. — Ships
and transports. — Officers of Expedition. — Capture of Port Royal. — Military officers of Green's
Farms. — Tax for the Expedition. — Parish petition of Green's Farms. — Connecticut and New
York boundary line. — Major Burr's soldiers. — New Fairfield. — Expedition against Canada. —
Green's Farm a parish. — Educational interests. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Smallpox hos-
pitals.— County Courts. — Superior Courts. — Expedition against Canada. — Punishment of
deserters. — Army supplies from Connecticut. — Dr. James Laborie and Ur. Copp. — Troops,
supplies, and drums from Fairfield. — Army and Navy leave for Canada. — Failure of the expe-
dition.— Connecticut garrison in frontier forts. — Land grant to heirs of Major Nathan Gold. —
Renewed efforts against Canada. — Green's Farms boundary. — Laws for tavern-keepers. — Post
fees. — Assembly at Fairfield of an Ecclesiastical Court. — Church attendance obligatory. —
Public land to be sold for erecting a court-house. — Taxes, — Schools. — Yale college fees. —
Grant of land to Green's Farms minister, to Rev. Mr. Webb and Rev. Charles Chauncey. —
Perry's grist mill. — Laws for vicious persons. — New issue of bills of credit 1713. — Taxes on
imports. — Reward for wolves and panthers. — Peace of Utrecht. — Great expense of Connecticut
in the French and English war. — Charters in danger. — Indian deed of Clapboard Hill. —
Highways between Long-lots. — County officers. — Preservation of forests. — Duties on wood
exports. — Strict religious laws. — Bibles in families required. — Decline of religion. — Custom
house at Black Rock. — A long drought. — Death of Queen Anne. — Accession of George I. —
Green's Farms allowed to embody in a society. — Schools. — New mills. — Rev. Daniel Chapman
called to Green's Farms. — Death of Rev. Charles Chauncey. — Fairweather Island. — Trustees
of school lands. — Temperance laws. — Train-band officers of Green's Farms and Greenfield —
Chief Justice Nathan Gold. — Regulations for vessels on Sabbath days. — Parish laws for Sab-
bath worship, teaching, and for good morals. — Thanksgiving. — Fast day. — Greens Farms
opens its Church and ordains Rev. Mr. Chapman. — Individual land grants to be secured. —
Train-band officers for county troops. — Election sermon. — Schools. — Private persons not to
purchase lands of Indians. — Taxes on imports, and on peddlers and non-residents of the
colony. — Cattle pound laws. — Evangelizing the Indians. — Saw mill on Aspetuck River. — Dr.
James Laborie a resident of Fairfield. — Land grant to the heirs of Captain Nathaniel Seeley.
County cavalry officers. — Drainage of Pine creek meadow. —Yale college. — Vagrancy not per-
mitted.— Taxes for bills of credit. — Bills of credit issued. — Mr. Timothy Green of New London
the engraver of bills of credit. — Bounds of parsonage lands. — Rev. Samuel Cook minister of
Stratfield parish. — Value of estates of Fairfield 1719. — Fast day.

1 710. At the Court of Election holden at Hartford, May nth. Nathan
Gold was chosen Deputy Governor, Peter Burr an Assistant, Captain
John Wakeman and Colonel John Burr representatives from Fairfield to

24 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD L^Tio

the General Assembly. Nathan Gold was appointed Judge of the Court
of Probate of Fairfield, and Peter Burr Judge of Faii-field County
Court.

Judge Peter Burr and Moses Dimon were appointed to take charge
of the arms, etc., of the soldiers of the County of Fairfield on the late
expedition to Wood Creek, and to sell and dispose of them to the best
advantage for the colony.

Dr. James Laborie was granted three shillings and fourpence per day
for his services at Wood Creek as doctor and surgeon.

A provision was made that the fund to be raised for securing the re-
payment of the public bills of credit should be paid either in bullion at
the rate of eight shillings an ounce Troy, or in bills of public credit, and
in no other manner. And that all taxes levied for the payment of the
public debts should be collected and paid into the colony treasury before
the last day of June, 1715.

A law was enacted against counterfeiting the bills of credit under a
penalty of six months' imprisonment, and such other penalty and cor-
poral punishment as the Assembly should see fit to inflict.*

Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors at a court to be
held in New Haven in October, to consider the debts of the colony and
the value of the bills of credit remaining in the treasury.

It was made a law that the Council to assist the Governor, or in his
absence the Deputy Governor, in the inten^als of the General Assembly,
should consist of two assistants and four able, judicious freemen, to man-
age the public affairs; but not to send men out of the colony, nor to raise
money unless in case of emergency, t

The failure of the expedition against Canada by no means discouraged
New York or the New England colonies. It was believed that if Eng-
land would send out an armament of sufficient size to join the troops of
the colonies and their Indian allies Canada would soon be taken from
the French. Accordingly, Colonel Schuyler of New York, at his own
private expense, sailed for England, and took with him five sachems of
the Five Nations. The sachems were introduced to the Queen. They
made an address to her, setting forth their disappointment and grief at
the failure of the late expedition against Canada, and entreated her to.
send out an armament to assist her Majesty's colonies in America to join
them and her loyal Indian subjects to accomplish this most desirable

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 158. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, 159.

I7IO CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 2$

undertaking, which, they represented, would not only bring peace to her
subjects, but gladden the hearts of their tribes. Other efforts had been
made to further this end, which proved to be for the subjection of Port
Royal and Nova Scotia instead of Canada.*

A letter from Queen Anne, requiring the assistance of her subjects
in America on this expedition, led to a special Assembly convening at
New Haven August 4th, which continued, after several adjournments,
until August lith.t

Owing to the defenseless situation of the frontier towns of the colony,
and the numbers of men required for their protection, as well as great
loss of men in the late expedition, the Governor and Council could only
agree to send three hundred men from Connecticut to join in the new
enterprise.

It was also agreed to procure sailors, vessels, provisions, etc., towards
furthering the expedition. Each train-band was required yearly, in Sep-
tember, to send in an exact account of the number of its officers and men
to the major of each regiment, who should make a report of the same
to the General Assembly the following October.:}:

General Nicholson was put in command of this expedition. Colonel
William Whiting was commissioned to command the Connecticut forces.
Captain John Burr of Fairfield was chosen major, and Dr. James Laborie
surgeon. § Everything was immediately made ready, and on the i8th
of September a fleet of thirty ships set sail from Nantasket for Port
Royal. The of^cers and soldiers landed without opposition on the 24th;
and on the 22d of October the French commander, Monsieur Subercase,
capitulated and surrendered the fort to Great Britain. After leaving a
garrison to protect it under Colonel Vetch, who had been appointed
Governor of the country, Geenral Nicholson returned triumphantly home
with the remainder of his forces. From this time this port received the
name of Annapolis Royal. .

The General Assembly met on the 12th of October, when Mr. James
Bennet and Mr. Samuel Couch represented Fairfield. Mr. Samuel Couch
was confirmed captain, Mr. John Osborn lieutenant and Mr. Benjamin
Rumsey ensign of Green's Farms train-band.

Samuel Morehouse, Jr., of Stratfield, having embarked with Major

* Trambull's Hist. Conn., I, 460. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 163.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 164, 165. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 167, 168.

I Trumbull's Hist. Conn., I, 462.

26 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD UJ^o

John Burr from New Haven on the expedition against Port Royal, and
by an accident in firing a gun lost his right hand, was granted ten pounds,
and afterwards a yearly pension of five pounds.*

The sum of seven shillings a week or one sliilling a day was ordered
to be paid to all private sentinels of the Port Royal expedition.

Bills of credit in sums of two shillings to five pounds, amounting to
five thousand pounds, of the same tenor and date of June 8, 1709, were
ordered to be printed, stamped and indented towards the payment of
the public debts of the colony, " and accepted at an advance of twelve
pence on the pound more."

A tax of five thousand two hundred and fifty pounds was ordered to
be levied on all the poll and ratable estates of the towns in the colony
and paid into the public treasury on or before August, 1718. to meet the
payment of the outstanding bills of credit. t

Mr. Samuel Couch, on behalf of himself and the inhabitants of the
western farms of the town of Fairfield, petitioned the Assembly that they
should have liberty granted them to provide and settle an orthodox
minister among them; and also be freed from paying towards the main-
tenance of the minister of the first society of the town. This privilege
was ordered to be granted in full, at the May session of the Assembly,
provided the town of Fairfield was notified four days previously, so as to
give them an opportunity to show cause why this application should not
be granted, t

The salary allowed Deputy (lovernor Nathan Gold was fifty pounds
for the year.

Hon. Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr, with Joseph Curtis. Esq..
were apj)ointed to apply to Governor Robert Hunter of New York to
settle the boundary line between that province and Connecticut.

An act was passed at this time for the year ensuing that all ministers',
town and school taxes should be paid in wheat, rye. Indian corn, pork
and beef, according to their fixed valuation by the General Assembly.

The custom passed May 13. 1708, of collecting a tax laid upon all
the churches in the colony with the town taxes for the sup]K)rt of the
Congregational ministers was repealed.

At a meeting of the General Court. November 3d. at New London,
Major John Rurr was allowed a bill of charges for the support of him-

• Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 176. f Col. Rec. ("onn., 1706-1716, p. 182.

I Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p.183.

[I7IO CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 2/

self and twenty-eight of his company in the late expedition from Plymouth
to Stonington.*

In the month of May, Ensign John Mitchell of Woodbury, acting as
attorney for the Indians in the sale of their lands for the town of New
Fairfield, conveyed deeds through John Minor to the following gentle-
men residing at Fairfield, viz. : Captain Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr,
Ensign John Reed, John Edwards, Jonathan Sturges, John Barlow,
Gideon Allen, Samuel Wilson, Samuel Jennings, Captain John Wakeman,
Moses Dimon and Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman. The price agreed upon
for the purchase of this land was twenty pounds. This deed was recorded
May 19, i/io.f

1711. Encouraged by the success of the expedition against Port Royal
and Nova Scotia, General Nicholson in June of this year made a voyage
to England, with the hope of fitting out another expedition against
Canada, in which all her Majesty's colonies in America should join. He
was so successful in his appeal to the Crown that a fleet was immediately
prepared to sail for Boston, there to be joined by the forces of the
colonies.

The General Assembly and Court of Election met at Hartford May
loth, and continued at intervals until the 31st of the month. Nathan
Gold was again chosen Deputy Governor of the colony, Judge Peter Burr
an Assistant and Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman repre-
sentatives for Fairfield.

Captain Samuel Couch, on behalf of himself and the inhabitants of
the West Farms of Fairfield, again presented their petition for liberty to
settle an orthodox minister of the gospel among them. Major Peter
Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Major John Burr, in behalf of Fair-
field, opposed the petition; but the General Assembly saw fit to grant it,
and freed the western farmers from paying towards the support of the
minister of Fairfield, and that "they should have full power; as if they
were a distinct town, to order all alTairs relating to the support of the
ministry among them : & for leasing & improving any land or estate
formerly given to the support of the ministry, or of the school in the said
town of Fairfield . . . and that the lands which shall fall within the
said parish of the West Farmers, & not belonging to any inhabitants
within the parish, shall not be rated or assessed to any charges or duties
arising within the said parish." Judge Joseph Curtis of Stratford, Joseph

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 189. f Fairfield Town Records.

28 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i?"

Piatt and John Copp of Nonvalk were appointed a committee to survey
and lay out the lands of the said western parish, and make a report of
the same to the next Assembly.*

The long and distressing wars in the reign of Queen Anne, which
made many sad hearts and desolate homes in Fairfield and throughout
the colony, had brought about a train of social demoralization. The
Governor and General Court resolved to elevate the tone of society by
being more rigid in the maintenance of public schools; and, owing to a
general neglect throughout Connecticut in payment of forty shillings
upon every thousand pounds, allowed for the support of grammar schools,
the Assembly ordered that this sum should be paid out of the colony
treasury and by the treasurer in bills of credit, " two thirds that sum as
money. "'t

A patent of six hundred acres of land was ordered to be confirmed
to Fairfield, near Danbury, which had been previously granted in 1672,
for the maintenance of a grammar school. J

One hundred acres of this land had been previously granted to Mr.
George Hull of Fairfield, which the Assembly took care to reserve to
him. Particular mention is made of this land in the grant made to the
Rev. Mr, Webb and the Rev. Samuel W^akeman, which included in all
one thousand acres. §

At the same time, upon the petition of Captain John Wakeman, two
hundred acres of land, previously granted to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman,
deceased, near Danbury, was confirmed to his heirs. An Indian deed
of which was recorded at Fairfield October 25, 1710.II

An Indian deed of one hundred and fifty acres of land to Dr. Isaac
Hall, Jr., Francis and John Hall, sons of the late Dr. Isaac Hall, lying
near this land was confirmed to them and recorded 22d April. 1709.

Four thousand bills of credit w^ere ordered forthwith to be printed,
indented and stamped of the same tenor and date of June 8, 1709, and
after being duly signed by the committee, to be delivered to the treasurer
of the colony and used toward paying the public debts. A tax of four
thousand five hundred pounds was levied on all polls and taxable estates
within the colony, as a fund of security for the repayment of these bills

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 209. f Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 213.

I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 215.

(^ Indian Deed of this land, Fairfield Town Records, Vol. 2, pp. 326, 240.

I Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol, 1706-1716, p. 11, 215.

17II] - CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 29

of credit, to be paid into the colony treasury before the last of May in
1720.*

Separate houses in each town were ordered to be set apart for small-
pox and contagious diseases. The officers of the towns w^ere authorized
to provide a house, lodgings, nurses, attendants and other necessities for
the accommodation of the sick. Ship officers and seamen were not al-
lowed to land if any contagious disease existed on board their vessel,
and if they landed " they were to be immediately sent on board again."
Nor was any person from the port permitted to go on board. Nurses
caring for any person suffering from a contagious disease were not al-
lowed to expose themselves to others in health under a heavy fine.t

Negro, mulatto or Spanish Indian slaves, who had been set at liberty
by their owners in the colony, and who failed to support themselves, the
former ow^ners and their heirs were held responsible for their mainten-
ance.:]:

An act was passed for establishing Superior Courts and altering the
time of holding County or Inferior Courts, by which one chief judge and
four other judges, or any three of them, should hold court in each County
town in the months of March and September of each year. This Court
was ordered to be held for the County of Fairfield, at Fairfield, on the
first Tuesdays of March and Septemiber. The Inferior Courts were
ordered to be holden on the third Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday
in November. The Governor, or in his absence the Deputy Governor,
was made Chief Judge of the Superior Court. Judge Peter Burr, in the
absence of the Governor or Deputy Governor, was made Chief Judge for
the year. Commissions from the General Assembly were ordered to be
given to each of the Superior Court Judges and Justices of the Peace,
signed by the Governor and stamped with the seal of the colony. §

Upon the receipt of a letter from General Nicholson that a fleet from
England w^ould soon reach Boston for the reduction of Canada, the Gov-
ernor and Council of War met on the loth of June at New London to
consider ways and means to assist in the undertaking. It was agreed
that an immediate issue of six thousand pounds in bills of credit should
be printed in advance of the meeting of the General Assembly, to fit out
the Connecticut quota for the expedition.!

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 228, 229. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 231.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 233. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 238.

II Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 244.

30 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [lyn

A special General Assembly was convened at Xew London June iQtli.
Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Captain John Wakeman of
Fairfield were present. A letter was addressed to Oueen Anne, in which,
after representing the danger and frequent murders which the colonists
had sulTfered from the French and their Indian allies, they pledged them-
selves to do all in their power to carry out her will and requests in the
new expedition against Canada. They thanked the Uueen most gra-
ciously, for the clothing, arms and ammunition she had sent them for their
quota, w^hich had animated the soldiers to a just sense of their duty to her.

Three hundred and sixty men were ordered to be equipped and made
ready to join the expedition, of which sixty of them were to be Indians
placed under the command of. English of^cers. A suitable vessel to ac-
company the fleet was ordered to be made ready to carry supplies for
our troops after they reached Canada, and to bring back the sick and
wounded. Provisions for a four months' campaign were ordered to be
made ready, part of which w^as to be sent by land by way of Albany and
the remainder by the vessel which was to join the fleet. Two chaplains
and three surgeons and physicians with suitable stores of medicines were
ordered to go with the expedition. The troops were to be mustered as
quickly as possible at New Haven and proceed to Albany.

A law was passed that deserters from the land or sea forces should
be punished by a fine of twenty pounds, or six months' imprisonment.

The General Council of War having asked Governor Saltonstall to
send a supply of beef and sheep, he at once forwarded to Colonel Hunter
at Albany two hundred beeves and six hundred sheep. Ten ship car-
penters were ordered to be sent to Albany to assist in making canoes
and batteaux for the troops.*

Dr. James Laborie, with Dr. Copp of Norwalk. were the only avail-
able surgeons to accompany the Connecticut troops, in consequence oi
which they were allowed to select two suitable i)ersons to assist them.f

Troops and supplies were sent from Fairfield, and Captain Moses
Dimon and John Blackman were paid forty shillings each for two drums
fur the band.i

b^-erything was made ready in about a month's time; and on the
3()th of July a fleet of fifty men-of-war, fifteen of which were from Eng-
land, forty transports and six storeships " set sail from Boston ft)r Canada.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 245-251. f Col. Kcc. (Onn., 1706-1716, p. 260.
I Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, pp. 267-269.

17"] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 3 1

There were on board five regiments from England & Flanders, & two
regiments from Massachusetts, Rhode Island & New Hampshire. The
tieet was commanded by Admiral Hovenden Walker, & the army by
Brigadier General Hill."*

On the same day that the fleet sailed General Nicholson set out on
his march for Albany at the head of four thousand men. The Connecticut
forces were commanded by Colonel William Whiting, those of New
Jersey and New York by Colonels Schuyler and Ingoldsby.

Admiral Walker's fleet reached the mouth of the St. Lawrence on
the 14th of August, and put into the bay of Gaspee to await the arrival
of the transports. Here he remained until the 20th, when he set sail for
Canada. On the 22d his fleet encountered a severe storm, and they
were enveloped in a dense fog. The pilots advised sailing southward,
but the Admiral, without having proper soundings or a true knowledge
of the coast, ordered them to sail northward. In consequence he soon
afterwards found his ships among breakers on all sides. Eight or nine
of the English transports were wrecked, and out of seventeen hun-
dred English officers and soldiers eight hundred and eighty-five were
lost. Admiral Walker and General Hill only saved themselves by an-
choring their ships. Admiral Walker as soon as the storm abated sailed
for Spanish River Bay. Eight days passed before the remainder of the
fleet arrived, when a council of war was held, and it was decided that
the undertaking should be given up, and that English ships should return
to England. General Nicholson had only the alternative left to retrace
his steps, t

Tlie failure of this expedition was a bitter disappointment to the
colonists, upon whom the English officers laid all the blame of its mis-
carriage. They also blamed the French pilots, but they disclaimed all
such charges, having early warned Admiral Walker of his danger.
Learning of the fate of the fleet. General Nicholson returned with his
army, as he deemed it at that time unsafe to cross the lake.

Fortunately not one of the colonial soldiers was lost, and only one
small transport wrecked. But the failure of the expedition caused great
alarm lest the French and their Indian allies should take advantage of
the situation to harass and destroy the border settlements.

Meanwhile the Canadians, aware of the contemplated attack upon

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I, p. 464.

t Trumbull's and Ilollister's Hist, of Conn. Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, PP- 243-274-

32 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1712

them, had made every possible preparation for resistance. Governor de
Vaudreuille concentrated the full strength of his forces at Montreal and
Lake Champlain. He encamped at Chambly with a force of three thou-
sand men to resist the advance of the English and colonists.

The General Assembly met the i ith of October at New Haven. Dep-
uty Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, as Assistant, and Mr.
John Edwards and Mr. Samuel Hubbell as deputies were present from
Fairfield. Judge Peter Burr was appointed to assist in auditing the
treasury accounts.

The taxable estates at Fairfield, at this time, were valued at £16,881.

It was agreed that Connecticut should assist in sending thirty or
forty men, and in paying towards maintaining garrisons in the Indian
forts of the Five Nations on the Connecticut, New York and Massa-
chusetts frontiers, and to secure the influence of the Five Nations to
assist the English in any designs the enemy might make against them.*

Judge Peter Burr and Dr. Copp of Norwalk were directed to lay out
one hundred acres of land to the heirs of the late Major Gold, granted in
i687.t

Several councils of war were held in the fall to induce England to
assist in continuing a war against Canada, and to send the pilots who
served on board the men-of-war in the late expedition to England, and
there make a true representation of the disastrous failure they had sus-
tained. The pilots were sent, but an utter indifference was shown to
anything they represented, or that any further effort should be made
towards taking Canada.

1 71 2. At the annual meeting of the General Assembly, holden at
Hartford May 8th, Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, ]\Iajor
John Burr Assistant, who was also a representative with Captain John
Wakeman from Fairfield.

Ensign John Wheeler was appointed a lieutenant and Sergeant Gideon
Allen ensign of the Stratfield train-band of Fairfield.

The committee appointed to lay out the boundary lines of Green's
Farms having fixed the necessary bounds, made a return of the same
to the Assembly. It was further shown by a petition dated May 9th.
and signed by Joseph Lockwood, Simon Couch, John Lockwood and
Christopher Sturgis, that they had erected and paid for a school-house, t

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 279. + Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 2S0.

\ Col. Rcc. Colleges and Schools, Vol. I.

I7I2] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 33

Three thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be issued
at the rate paid in 1711, "to pass out of the treasury at the advance of
twelve pence on the pound more." A tax of three thousand three hun-
dred pounds was levied on the polls and taxable estates of the colony
to meet this demand, to be paid in or before the last day of May, 1720.

On the 28th of March, at a town meeting at Fairfield, it was voted,
that Mr. John Meridith, the county surveyor, should renew the high-
ways between the long lots as they were originally laid out. The build-
ing lots north of the mile of common were also ordered to be laid
out.*

Fairfield being the shire-town of the county, had several taverns and
private places used for the accommodation of the assembling of the
courts. It was also a seaport town. The following law was passed at
this time for the well-being of all the towns in the colony. It was ordered
that no inn or tavern keeper s'hould entertain sing'le person boarders or
sojourners, or any young persons, or other inhabitant under the control
of parents or masters, to meet together in their houses, or in the evening
after the Sabbath, or public days of fast, or lecture days, under a penalty
of fifty shillings cash.f

The postmen who carried the mails from town to town complained
of the small amount paid them. It was agreed by the Assembly " that
they should be allowed from April to November for themselves & horses
three pence a mile, & from November to April three pence half-penny a
mile in money.":}:

Judge Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors, and also
Judge of the County Court, and Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Probate
Judge of Fairfield.

Great care w^as taken at this time in regard to the good character,
attainments and strict orthodox belief of the candidates of the Established
Church of Connecticut. The General Association met at Fairfield on
the 1 2th September, 171 2, and agreed upon a series of rules for their
examination.!

Persons neglecting to attend the public worship of God, " as the law
directs & obliges them," w^ere to suffer the full penalty of the law.||

The Assembly nominated and appointed Deputy Governor Nathan

* Fairfield Town Records. t Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 317.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 318. § Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I, p. 516.

II Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 323.
3

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1713

Gold Chief Judge of the Superior Court, and Judge Peter Burr one of
his assistants.*

It was agreed to sell at a public vendue, to be held at Fairfield Meet-
mg-house in August, all strips of land and all public land lying between
Danbury and Fairfield, reserving highways. Judges Nathan Gold and
Peter Burr were appointed to make the sale. The proceeds of this sale
were to be appropriated towards erecting a public-house or houses for
the use of the Assembly and other courts. The purchasers of this land
were to be given patents for it, provided they purchased the native Indian
right, t

All improved lands and home lots of three acres were valued at three
pounds a lot; meadow lands, both salt and fresh at Fairfield, at ten shil-
lings an acre and boggy land at seven shillings and sixpence per acre. +

The General Assembly met at Hartford on the 9th of October. Ill-
ness prevented Deputy Governor Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr
from being present. Captain Samuel Couch represented Fairfield.

It was decreed that every parish should have a school of its own,
and that forty shillings on every thousand pounds should be paid out
of the taxes of each paris'h towards its support; that the forty shillings
on every thousand pounds for the maintenance of grammar schools
in the county towns should be paid in money or bills of credit, and that
the villages which should become offshoots of the county towns should
receive forty shillings for school purposes.^

For maintaining a rector and tutor of the Collegiate School at Say-
brook one hundred pounds was allowed out of the colony treasury in
money or in bills of credit.

1713. At a town meeting held at h'airfield in April: "The town
granted to the first gospel minister that should settle at Maxumux or
the west parish in ]'\'iirfield six acres of land in some convenient place
within the parish. It was also voted that a liousc should be built for the
accommodation of the minister of the west farms, two & forty foot long,
twenty foot wide, two stories hig*h, with a cellar under one end. two
chamber chimneys. & to cover it with four ^l- a half shingles." An annual
tax of sixpence on the pound was levied on the west farmers until the
house should be paid for.!;

* Col. Rec. Conn., i7o6-i7if>, p. 332. \ Col. Rec. Conn,, 1706-1716. p. 333.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 334. 5^ Col. Rec. Conn.. 1706-1716, p. 353.

i I'iiirlicld Town Records.

I7I3] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 35

Several acres of land were granted the Rev. Mr. Webb on the north-
west side of Mill Hill, which was afterwards exchanged for other land.
Mr. Webb was also granted " the sum of ninety pounds in the current
money of the colony, as his standing salary, in lieu of one hundred &
two pounds formerly paid him in county pay." He was also granted fire
wood.*

Six acres of land was also granted to the Rev. Charles Chauncey of
Stratfield, to be taken up within the limits of that parish, in some con-
venient place in the town commons. A committee was appointed to
lay out these grants of land to the several ministers.!

Joseph Perry was given permission to erect a grist mill near the
place where the saw-mill stood.

At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford May 14th, Judge
Nathan Gold was again elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an
Assistant and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Ensign Richard Hubbell
representatives from Fairfield.

It was ordered that the Assembly should in the future meet in the
fall at New Haven.

'* For the Correcting & Restraining of Rogues & Vagabonds, & other
Persons of Evil Name & Fame, for Rude & Profane Discourse — having
proved a snare to youth, especially which tended to the detriment of
religion & pernicious consequences," it was made a law that the jail of
each county town s'hould also be a house of correction; and that any
delinquent should be lodged in jail until brought before a court, where,
if proven guilty, " he should be chastised by a whipping on his naked
back in the jail, & to be kept at such labor as he was capable of doing,
provided such an offender should not suffer for one offence more than
fifty stripes." The keepers of the jails were to be allowed their pay for
caring for said offenders out of their estates or labor.:}:

The sum of £20,000 was ordered by the Assemby to be remitted and
delivered to the colony treasurer, and to be the sum paid out by him
for the public debts of the colony from time to time, according to the
order given him.§

On account of counterfeiting the bills of credit, at a meeting of the
Governor and Council held at New London, June nth, Mr. Dunimer
of Boston, who had printed the bills, was ordered to reprint others, in

* Fairfield Town Record*. + Fairfield Town Records.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vd., 1706-1716, p. 382. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 496.

36 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1713

the lower right-hand corner of each were to be, " on 2s. bills A Dove;
2s. 6d A Cock; ^s. A Squirrel; ^s. A Fox; los. colored green, A Lamb;
20s. in yellow, A Deer; 4.0s. in blue, A Horse; £5 in red, A Lyon; all dated
May 1713." This new issue was in part to be exchanged for counterfeit
and broken bills of credit.*

At the General Assembly held in New Haven, October 8th, Deputy
Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Cap-
tain Joseph Wakeman were present from Fairfield.

It was found necessary for protecting the financial welfare of the
colony to lay a custom tax of five per cent, on all goods and liquors
brought into the ports of the colony by persons of other colonies or
places, and all such importers were to appear before the ofificers of each
town, and after declaring the value of their goods or cargoes, to give
bonds for the payment of said tax.

The Worshipful Peter Burr and Captain John Wakeman were com-
missioned to join with the Honorable Jonathan Law in running a divi-
sion line between Connecticut and the Province of New York.

A reward of forty sihillings was ordered to be paid to any person
who should kill a grown wolf, a catamount or panther, and ten shillings
for every young wolf.

It was announced to this Assembly that the Treaty of Peace of Utrecht
had been signed on the 30th of March. A letter of congratulation was
forthwith ordered by the Assembly to be sent to the Queen.

By this treaty the Bay and Straits of Hudson, the Island of St. Chris-
topher, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland were surrendered by the French, f

The restoration of peace between Great Britain and France was of
great consequence to the American colonies. Connecticut had lost many
of her soldiers and been at great expense to meet the demands of the
Governors of Massachusetts and New York. In the attem.pts to take
Canada, and in protecting her own frontier towns and those of New
York and Massachusetts, she had shown a most liberal spirit.

At this time the planters of Connecticut were alarmed at a design
on the part of ambitious Englishmen " to obtain a new modelling of the
plantations, & to make alterations in the civil government." It was agreed
after several meetings of the Governor and Council to invite a union of
all the New England colonies, in an effort to preserve their chartered
liberties.

♦ Col. Rec. Conn., pp. 387-389. f Hollister's Hist. Conn., Vol. I, p. 382.

I7I41 CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 37

Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was not able, from ill-health, to be
present. Colonel Mathew Allen was sent in November to confer with
him and with the Assistants at Fairfield as to the advisability of calling
an immediate General Assembly. The reply was that they did not think
it necessary.* Nevertheless, it was agreed by the Council to send Jere-
miah Dummer of Boston to England, as an agent in behalf of Connecti-
cut, and to place in his hands one thousand pounds sterling for this
purpose.

At a town meeting held in Fairfield December 28th, Captain Samuel
Couch, John Lockwood and Ensign Benjamin Rumsey were appointed
a committee to lay to the west parish ten acres of land granted to the
first gospel minister within their precincts. t

1 714. On the 25th of March following, the town ordered that this
grant should be laid out on Clapboard Hill in the west parish, lately
purchased of the natives. In January of this year the Indians of the
west farms gave a deed of Clapboard Hill to the town of Fairfield, t

The committee appointed to renew the highways between the long
lots made the following report in May of this year :

"A record of the places & bounds of the highways renewed by the committee,
appointed by the town, viz. : Lieut. CorneHus Hull, Segt. John Thompson, & Sergt. John
Wakeman is as followeth, which highways are running up the Long Lots :

1st. One highway running up between the widow Wheeler's Long Lot & Stratford
line, six rods in breadth be it more or less.

2nd. An highway running up between Richard Hubbell's Long Lot & Henry Jackson's,
four rods in breadth be it more or less.

3rd. An highway between Samuel Morehouse & Robt. Turney's Long Lots, five rods
in breadth be it more or less.

4th. An highway between Hendrick & Jos. Middlebrook Sen., long lots, four rods in
breadth, be it more or less.

5th. An highway between Nathaniel Burr Sen. & Daniel Burr Sr. long lots, four rods
in breadth, be it more or less.

6th. The mile of common bounded on the east with the long lots of Thomas Barlow's
children, & on the west with the long lots of Jacob Grey, the front of the east line of the
sajd mile of common, within about ten rod of Daniel Burr's fence at an heap of stone
\tith a walnut spire in the midst, & an heap of stone at a black oak tree on the west side
near a path.

7th. An highway between Obe'h Gilbert Sen. & Esbond Wakeman's long lot, four
rods in breadth be it more or less.

8th. An highway between John Cabel, Sr., & Richard Osborn's long lot, six rods in
breadth at the front, & at some distance from the front upward four rods in breadth.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, pp. 410-422. f Fairfield Town Votes.

I Fairfield Town Records.

38 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [HM

9th. An highway between Francis Bradley & Nathaniel Finche's long lot, four rod in
breadth be it more or less.

loth. An highway between John Sturges Sen., & John Cabel jun. long lots, four rods
in breadth, be it more or less.

nth. An highway between Eleazer Smith & Robt. Rumsie's long lots, four rod in
breadth, be it more or less.

I2th. An highway running near the road beyond Ma.xunni.x which goes to Saugatuck,
bounded on the east with the long lot of Simon Couch, & on the west with Norwalk line,
the south east side hath at the front a great oak tree betwen the said Couch. & said high-
way with an heap of stones." *

It was upon these long lots that the descendants of the first settlers
took up valuable and lucrative farms. The hig-hways were wonderfully
straight for miles back into the centre of Redding.

At the gathering of the General Assembly at Hartford. May 13th,
Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was present, Judge Peter Burr as an
Assistant, and Captain Joseph W'akeman and Major John Burr as repre-
sentatives from Fairfield.

Judge Peter Burr was chosen one of a committee to audit the colony
accounts.

Major John Burr was commissioned captain and Dr. James Laborie
of Stratford lieutenant of the Fairfield County troops.

For preserving the forests of the colony, which had been an extensive
source of revenue to many in the way of barrels, pipes, hogsheads and
staves sent to the West Indies, it was enacted :

" That all barrel staves sent out of the colony to Massachusetts Bay, New York, New
Jersey, Rhode Island & New Hampshire, should pay to the naval officers in each port
where the said staves were shipped from, twenty shillings per thousand; & all hogsheads,
or pipe staves, thirty shillings per thousand ; and that all captains of vessels should give
bonds for the payment of this custom, in default of which, their cargoes should be for-
feited, one-half of the sale paid to the informer & one-half to the colony treasury." f

It was ordered that no town officer in time of peace should be obliged
to mount any guard or soldier on the Lord's Day, or on other days of
public worship.

The General Assembly,

— "taking into their serious consideration the many evident tokens that the glory is de-
parted from us, the providences of God are plainly telling us that our ways do not please
him, & knowing the great obligations that we are under, not only for the suppressing of
all profancncss & immorality that so greatly threatens the ruin of the land, but also to
encourage piety & virtue, do pray the Honorable, the Governor, to recommend to the

* Fairfield Town N'otes, 1714. + Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 434.

I7I4] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 39

reverend elders of the General Association, that tiie state of religion be strictly inquired
into in every parish throughout this government ; & particularly how & whether catechising
be duly attended, & whether there be a suitable number of Bibles in the various families
in the respective parishes; & also if there be found in any of our parishes, any person that
neglect attendance upon the public worship on Lord's days — to enquire what means hath
been used with such persons to regain them to a compliance with their so necessary a duty,
that thereby the worship of God be duly encouraged, observed & attended both in families
& parishes ; & likewise that there be a strict inquiry, which & what are the sins & evils th.it
provoke the just Majesty of Heaven to walk contrary unto us in the ways of his provi-
dences, that thereby all possible means may be used for our healing & recovery from our
degeneracy." *

Mr. John Edwards was appointed and commissioned the naval or
custom-house officer of the port of Fairfield. f Deputy Governor Nathan
Gold was made Judge of Probate, Peter Burr Judge of the County Courts
and Major John Burr, James Bennet and John Edwards justices of the
peace and Quorum of Fairfield County.

On account of a long drought, the first day of September was ap-
pointed " to be observed as a day of fasting & prayer throughout the
colony."

At a meeting of the Governor and Council in New Haven, October
13th, a letter from Jeremiah Dummer, then acting as agent for Con-
necticut in England, was read, announcing the death, August ist. at
White Hall, of her most gracious Majesty Queen Anne of happy mem-
ory, and that Prince George had been proclaimed king of Great Britain,.
France and Ireland. The Council ordered :

That the death of the Queen should be solemnized by firing minute guns on the
following afternoon at three o'clock ; and that the accession of King George I. should be
celebrated at noon by the assembling of the New Haven regiment, fully armed, before
whom the proclamation of his accession should be read. Each soldier was allowed half a
pound of powder, & also wine & biscuit to celebrate the occasion. To prevent disorders on
so joyfufan occasion, no bonfires or fireworks were allowed, "but instead of these, illumina-
tions be used, as a much more honorable signal of joy." if

At the meeting of the General Assembly in October, Deputy Governor
Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr. Captain Joseph Wakeman and Major
John Burr were present from Fairfield. The Assembly ordered that an
address of congratulation should be forthwith prepared and sent to King
George upon his accession to the throne of Great Britain.

The Bankside or west farmers of Fairfield were made happy by a

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 436. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 437.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-17 16, pp. 450, 451.

40 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1715

decree that they should be allowed " to embody themselves into a church
& state."*

For ui)holding and supporting good schools in every town and vil-
lage in the colony, it was enacted : " That the selectmen of each town
should visit & inspect its schools quarterly, & inquire into the qualifica-
tions of the masters, their diligence in teaching, as well as the proficiency
of the scholars, & to make a report of the same to the next Assembly."

Richard Whitney proposed to erect a grist mill, and Gershom Bulkley
and Moses Ward a fulling mill on the Sasco River.

On the first of November the inhabitants of the west farms held a
parish meeting, and by vote it was agreed that the Rev. Daniel Chapman
should be installed as pastor of the church. One penny on the pound
was levied in order to pay the expenses of his ordination and to put up
the meeting-house for the occasion. His ordination did not take place
until the next year.f

A committee was appointed " to convey the first six acres of land
to the Rev. Mr. Chapman of the West-farms, granted to the first gospel
minister who should settle there." +

The parish of Stratfield was deprived this year of its beloved and
honored pastor, the Rev. Charles Chauncey, wdio died May 4th, leaving
a widow and several children. His labors amang the Stratfield people
had been crowned with marked success. His church and house were
situated near the old Pequonock burial ground. §

It appears at one time that Mr. Chauncey owned what is now called
Fairweather's Island, which he sold on the 24th of March, 1709, to Ben-
jamin Fairweather of Stratfield for the sum of eight pounds and six
shillings in money. I

1713. In February Captain Joseph W'akeman. Alajor Peter Burr
and Caj)tain Sanuiel Couch were appointed trustees by the town for the
school lands, and particularly for the six hundred acres granted by the
(General Assembly to the town of b^airfield for the use of a grannnar
school.

At the meeting of the General Assembly held at Hartford. May 12th.
the Hon. Nathan (lold was elected Deputy CJovernor. Judge Peter Burr

* ("ol. Kec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 454.

t CJrecn's Farms Records, by Rev. Mr. C'hapni.an.

X Fairfield Town Records. S Appendi.x — (.Genealogical.

I {'"airfield 'l"o\vn Records of iJceds.

I7I5] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 4 1

an Assistant and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Mr. Richard Hubbell
representatives from Fairfield.

It was deemed necessary to make every possible effort to preserve
the forests and to prevent hewing timber to be sent out of the colony.

Still more stringent laws " for the better regulating of taverns, &
for preventing drunkenness & expense of precious time." Any one found
guilty of " drinking strong drink, viz. : rum, cyder, metheglin or brandy
(or mixt drink made with any of them) in any tavern, or house of public
entertainment in the town in which he or they belonged, should be fined
ten shillings in money. The tavern keeper for every breach of this act
was fined thirty shillings." All money arising from such transgressions
of this law was to be paid, '' one half to the informer, & the other half
towards the maintenance of the town poor." The constables and grand
jurymen in each town were required to make diligent inquiry into any
breach of this law.

Mr. John Osborn was confirmed captain, Jonathan Sturges lieutenant
and Mr. Samuel Barlow ensign of the zvcst cud train-bond of Fairfield.
Mr. Thomas Nash was confirmed lieutenant and Mr. John Andrews en-
sign of the zvcst parish train-band in Green's Farms.*

Judge Peter Burr was made Judge of the County Courts and Deputy
Governor Nathan Gold Judge of the Probate Court of Fairfield. The
Hon. Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr w^ere appointed Judges of the
Superior Court, and Judge Gold was also made Chief Judge of the Supe-
rior Court, t In case of his absence the five judges named in succession
were to act for him.

In October the General Assembly met at New Haven, where Deputy
Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and
Lieutenant Richard Hubbell were present.

The chartered liberties of the New England colonies were again en-
dangered. There were parties in England who were strongly opposed
to charter government, and who looked upon the New England colonies
as too independent of the government of the mother country. A bill
was therefore introduced into Parliament to repeal the charters which
had been given to the colonists. Mr. Jeremiah Dummer of Boston used
his utmost endeavors to s'how cause why this injustice should be allowed.
Several years passed, however, before a favorable turn took place in the

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 504.
t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. ii.

42 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i7r5

State of affairs by which the colonists felt more secure in their chartered
privileges.*

A remarkable law was passed at this time:

" That no vessel sailing past any town or parish lying on said river, where the public
worship of God is maintained, or shall weigh anchor within two miles of said place, unless,
to get nearer thereto on the Sabbath day, any time betwixt the morning light & the setting
sun ; the master of such vessel shall be liable to the like penalty, as if he had sailed out
of a harbor, any former usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding."

At the sitting of the General Court in October, answers were re-
turned to the questions recommended in regard to the declension of reli-
gion in the colony, which were as follows :

" 1st. A want of Bibles in particular families.

2nd. Remissness & great neglect of attendance on the public worship of God upon
Sabbath days & other seasons.

3rd. Catechizing being too much neglected in sundry places.

4th. Great deficiency in domestic or family government.

5th. Irregularity in commutative justice upon several accounts.

6th. Tale-bearing & defamation.

7th. Calumniating & contempt of authority & order, both civil & ecclesiastical.

8th. And intemperance; with several other things therein mentioned."

The General Council and representatives of the Court ordered:

"That all judges & justices of the peace in the respective counties in this Colony be
diligent & strict in putting in execution all those laws & acts of this Assembly made for the
suppressing & punishment of all or any of the aforesaid mentioned immoralities & irre-
ligious practices, that thereby the good end proposed in such acts & laws may be attained.

"That the select-men, constables & grand jurors in the respective towns in the
Colony, shall from time to time strictly observe the following directions :

"That the .select-men make diligent inquiry of all householders within their respective
towns, how they are stored with Bibles; & upon such inquiry [if] any such householders
be found, without one Bible at least, that the said select-men shall warn the said house-
holders forthwith to procure one Bible at least, for the u.se & benefit of the said family, &
if the same be neglected, then the said select-men shall make return thereof to the ne.xt
authority; and that all those families, who are numerous, & whose circumstances will
allow thereof, shall be supplied with a considerable number of Bibles, according to the
number of persons in such families ; & that they see that all such families be furnished
with a suitable number of orthodo.x catechisms & other good bonks of practical godliness,
viz.: such especially as treat on, encourage & duly prepare for the right attendance on that
great duty of the Lord's Supper.

"That the constables and grand-jurynun in tlio respective towns in this Colony
shall make diligent search after & presentnieni of all breaches of the following laws of the
Colony :

'■ 1st. An Act entitled Children to be Educated.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, pp. 376, 410, 522,

I7I5] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 43

" 2nd. The two last paragraphs of the law entitled Ecclesiastical.

" 3rd. The first paragraph of the law entitled, An Act for the better detecting & more
effectual punishing of Profaneness & Immorality.

" 4th. An Act for the better observation & keeping the Lord's day.

" 5th. The law, title lying.

"6th. The Law against Profane Swearing.

"7th. An Act to prevent Unseasonable Meetings of young people in the Evening after
the Sabbath Days & other times.

" And to the end that all breaches of the said law be duly put in prosecution :

"// is now resolved. That the constables & grand-jurymen in the respective towns
shall, in the evening mentioned in the said law, walk the streets & search all places sus-
pected for harboring or entertaining any people or persons assembling contrary to the said
act.

" 8th. An Act for preventing Tipling & Drunkenness.

"9th. An Act for suppressing Unlicensed Houses, & due Regulating such as are, or
shall be licensed, in the several paragraphs thereof.

" loth. An Act suppressing certain Meetings in licensed houses. And this law shall
be understood & extended to prohibit heads of families & all other persons, as well as
young persons (strangers & travelers only excepted) under the same penalties in said
law, as well as to tavern keepers as others, so convening.

" nth. And that the several constables in the respective towns shall strictly observe
& duly execute the several paragraphs of the law, title Constables, by making due present-
ment & information of all breaches of said law, & warning to all persons in their respective
towns, who spend their time idly, or are tiplers & tavern-haunters.

" I2th. That the said constables & grand- jurymen, in their respective precincts, shall
take due care that the Lord's Day be sanctified, according to law, by inquiring after &
making presentment of all such who shall profane the said day.

"And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid That this act, together with a
proclamation enforcing it, be forthwith printed & published throughout this Colony; &
that they shall be publicly read annually, in the several towns in this Colony, at the public
meetings, for choice of town officers. And that the said meeting be careful in the choice
of their said constables, & grand- jurymen, that they choose men of known abilities, integrity
& good resolution." *

One of the growing evils of the times, by which murders, thefts, bur-
glaries and other notorious crimes were committed, was by bringing
into the colony slaves and Indian servants, on account of which a law
was passed : " that any master of a ship or vessel, or any other person
who should bring into the colony slaves to be left or sold, should give
fifty pounds security for each slave to the naval officer of the port he
had entered, to carry them away within a month's time."

The third Wednesday in November was appointed, " to be observed
as a day of public thanksgiving to Almighty God," and the Governor
was requested to draw up a proclamation of the same, to be sent to each
town in the colony.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 529-532. 1

44 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1716

A proclamation was also ordered that the nth of April should be
strictly observed as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the colony,

1 71 6. At a town meeting held January i ith Justice Gold, Major Peter
Burr, Lieutenant James Bennet, Major John Burr, Captain Joseph Wake-
man and Captain Samuel Couch were appointed a committee to take
into consideration the b'est way to secure " to the original & ancient
proprietors & their descendants, a more ample & better confirmation of
the lands within the limits of the township; & to make a report of the
same to the next General Assembly, that they might obtain a grant or
patent of said lands."

The General Assembly met at Hartford, ]\Iay loth. The Hon. Nathan
Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, Cap-
tain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant Richard Hubbell deputies from
Fairfield.

Captain Joseph Wakeman was appointed one of a committee to thank
the Rev. Mr. Anthony Stoddard for his election sermon, preached upon
the opening of the Assembly, and to request a copy for publication.

A tax of £3,150 was ordered to be levied on the towns in the colony
to meet the repayment of the bills of credit.

Hon. Nathan Gold was made Judge of Probate and Peter Burr Judge
of the County Courts. Hon. Nathan Gold was also made Chief Judge
of the Superior Court.

Matters of little interest to Fairfield occurred at the sitting of this
court. The Assembly met again on the nth of October at New Haven,
when Fairfield was fully represented. Its taxable estates were shown to
be valued at £18,443 5-^- 8c/.

The Parish Record of Green's Farms gives a very interesting account
of the events which took place in the history of that parish at this time.

On the second page of the first volume of the Green's Farm's Parish'
Records is to be found the following entry :

"Oct. 26. Anno Dom. : 1715 — A Church of Christ was then gathered & embodied at
Fairfield West Parish, & ye Rev. Daniel Chapman ordained their pastor. Ye Rev. Mr.
Davenport gave ye charge, he with the Rev. Mr. VVebli, Air. Shove, Mr. Ciittler & Mr.
Hawly imposing hands ; ye Rev. Mr. Cuttler gave ye rigiit hand of fellowship to ye pastor,
& Mr. Hawley to ye church.*

The Original Covenant:

" We do in the humble sense of our deep unworthiness of an acknowledgement in ye

* Mr, Shove was the minister of Danbury, Mr. Cuttler of Stratford, and Mr. Ilawley of Ridge-
field.

1717] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 45

covenant of divine grace, & also of our inability unto the performance of ye duties of ye
holy covenant, through the strength & grace of Christ alone, heartily & sincerely engage
& promise in ye presence of God & his people, denying all ungodliness & worldly lusts, to
live soberly, righteously & godly in this present world, solemnly devoting ourselves & our
seed unto ye Lord to be his people, avouching Almighty God for our God & portion,
avouching the son Jesus Christ for our only Prophet & Teacher, & for our only Priest &
Propitiation, & for our only King, Lord, & law-giver; avouching ye Holy Ghost for our
Sanctifier, professing our subjection unto ye gospel of Christ; & yet we will walk together
in a conscionable attendance upon all the ordinancy of ye Gospel, & in a member-like Com-
munion helpfulness & watchfulness unto Christ.

Signed,
Daniel Chapman, Joseph Lockwood, Jonathan Squire, Joshua Jennings, Henry Grey,
Samuel Couch, John Andrews, Thomas Nash."

It appears that this record and covenant were found among the
posthumous papers of the Rev. Mr. Chapman, and entered upon the
book of church records July 7, 1742.

From the seven names under this interesting covenant, it would ap-
pear that the society of the West Farm.s was formed very much upon
the same basis as the societies of Massachusetts and New Haven, viz. :
by choosing seven men of good repute, whom they called the seven pil-
lars, which idea appears to have been based upon the scriptural passage,
" Wisdom hath builded her an house, she hath hewn out seven pillars."
These men were elected ofificers of the church upon their receiving the
covenant, as it was called, when they were joined by others of the con-
gregation in like manner. This act of receiving the covenant was the
first step taken towards forming an ecclesiastical society. Thomas Nash,
a great grandson of Thomas Nash, one of the first settlers at New Haven,
was chosen the first deacon.

The Rev. Mr. Chapman was given a salary of £70 a year.*

1 71 7. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 9th,
the Hon. Nathan Gold was again chosen Deputy Governor, Judge Peter
Burr an Assistant, Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman repre-
sentatives from Fairfield.

Major John Burr was made one of a committee to thank the Rev.
Timothy Cuttler of Stratford for the great pains he had taken in an elec-
tion sermon, preached upon the opening of the Assembly, and to ask
for a copy for publication.

Mr. Benjamin Fairweather was appointed a cornet player and Mr.,
John Taylor quartermaster for the Fairfield County troops.

* Appendix — Genealogical.

46 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i/i?

It was made a law that every society, or parish, consisting of seventy
families in the colony should keep a school eleven months in the year,
and where there were fewer families not less than half the year.*

Major Gold was appointed Chief Judge of the Superior Courts and
Judge Peter Burr Judge of the Fairfield County Courts.

Difficulties and perplexities having arisen on account of persons pur-
chasing and obtaining Indian titles to lands w'ithout the consent of the
Assembly, it was enacted : " That all lands in this government are holden
of the King of Great Britain as the lord of the fee," and, therefore, that
no valid deed could be given from the Indians, on pretence of their being
native proprietors, without the consent of the General Assembly, t

The Judges of the Superior Court were allowed £150 salary for the
year.

At the fall session of the Assembly, held at New Haven, October loth,
the following law^ was passed :

" That all non-residents, who came to trade in the colony, should pay a custom duty
of I2J. 6 d. on every hundred pounds worth of goods, & so proportionably, for all greater
or lesser quantities. And that every hawker, peddler, petty chapman, or other trading
person, going from town to town, either on foot or with a horse or horses, carrying wares
or merchandize for sale, should appear & declare the value of his goods before some
assistant or Justice of the Peace of the town he entered & pay the sum of 20s. for every
hundred pounds worth of goods, one-fifth of said tax to be paid to the Assistant or Justice
of the Peace & the remainder to the colony treasury4

It was also made a law that all stray horses, cattle, or swine should be impounded, &
cried for twenty days by the constable of that town, and the next two neighboring towns,
■' with the age and colour of said horse or creature & all his marks natural or artificial." If
no owner could be found, then the stray animal was to be sold at a public auction.

An act was passed : that in case a husband or wife went away, & remained beyond the
seas over seven years, so that there was every reason to believe that the absent party was
dead, a second marriage was adjudged lawful. Or in case a husband or wife sailed for
some foreign port, & neither the ship or the party who had sailed in it was heard from
within three years, so that there was every reason to believe said party was dead, then the
living wife or husband should be esteemed single. & be able to lawfully marry again; upon
consent of the Superior Courts. §

At the same time a resolution was offered in regard to evangelizing
the Indians, which was referred to the next October court. In the mean-
time the Governor and Council were desired to consider and draw up
what they judged most proper and effectual to that cnd.||

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 10. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1717-1725, p. 13.
X Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 23. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 27.
II Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 31.

I7I7] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 47

In October the Governor and Council, having laid before the As-
sembly several measures for bringing the Indians in the colony to the
knowledge of the gospel, which they represented was the avowed design
of those who had obtained the Connecticut patent, they proceeded to
pass laws for the furtherance of this project. It was ordered :

" That care should be taken annually, by the officers of each town, to convene the
Indian inhabitants & to acquaint them with the laws of the government for punishing such
immoralities as they shall be guilty of;" & make them sensible, "that no exemption from
the penalties of such laws lies for them any more than for others of his Majestie's sub-
jects."

It was also made a law that any person found guilty of selling strong drink to an
Indian, " either by the testimony of one person, with other strong circumstances, or by the
accusation of any Indian," should pay the penalty of twenty shillings. In case the con-
victed person should appeal to the County Court & judgment be pronounced against him,
he was then to pay the sum of forty shillings, the money to be divided equally between the
informer — whether an Englishman or an Indian, & the county treasury."

As idleness was accounted *' a great obstruction to the Indians re-
ceiving the gospel truth," it was thought that they might " be brought
off from their pagan manner of living " if they were encouraged to make
settlements in villages after the English fashion. It was, therefore, re-
solved :

" That measures shall be used to form villages of the natives, wherein their several
families should have suitable portions of land appropriated to them, so that the said por-
tions should descend from the father to his children, & the more to encourage them to
apply themselves to husbandry & good diligence therein to their support." The Judges of
the Superior Court, or any two of them, were appointed to view the said tracts of lands,
visit the Indians living on them, take account of the number of their families and persons,
of the quantity and quality of said lands, with other circumstances thereof, in respect of
any claims made thereto, or possession held thereon, and lay a plan of the same before the
General Court for their further direction ; " & that they may be the better enabled to pro-
ceed in forming a village of the said Indians there, & bring them to such civil order, co-
habitation & industry, as may facilitate the setting up of the gospel ministry among them,
& that they view & make report of all the land formerly sequestered to said Indians."*

At a meeting of the Governor and Council at New London, Decem-
ber 14th, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold of Fairfield was one of the
Judges of the Superior Court appointed to this service.

It was found necessary at this time to erect suitable court-houses in
the county tow-ns of Hartford, New Haven, New London and Fairfield.
It was, therefore, enacted that a quantity of ungranted land in the colony
should be sold for this purpose, out of the proceeds of which £300 should

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, pp. 15, 31, 32-40.

48 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1718

be granted to erect a court-house at Fairfield. Fifty pounds was allowed
for furnishing it. Two hundred pounds was also allowed to he divided
among the schools of the towns.*

At a town meeting held " December 13, Moses Dimon, Jacob Sterling, Luke Cuire &
Nathaniel Lyon were given liberty to erect a saw mill on the Aspetuck river in the mile
of common, & to raise ye dam so high, as they shall think needful, for the improvement of
said mill." t

1 71 8. About this time a very interesting and valuable acquisition to
the society of Fairfield was gained in the person of Dr. James Laborie.
He settled at Stratford about 1703. For his usefulness as a surgeon of
the Connecticut troops in her Majesty's service at Wood Creek, in ]\Iay
of 1 7 10, he was granted by the General Assembly three shillings and
four pence per day. He was appointed, with Dr. Samuel Mather, sur-
geon of the Connecticut troops against Port Royal in August of 1710.
In March of 171 1 the General Council at Hartford ordered that he should
be paid forty shillings for his good services as chaplain on board the
transport " Brigantine Mary," in the expedition against Port Royal. In
the following August he was granted ten pounds a month in money by
the General Assembly for his services in the expedition against Canada.
He was also allowed " a suit of regimental clothes gratis," and one
month's pay in advance. His medical diploma, dated London, 1697,
w^hich was recorded by the Clerk of the Fairfield County Court in 171 3,
is written in Latin, and represents him to have been the son of a cele-
brated physician of France. The same year the town of Stratford granted
him liberty " to build a pew " in the Congregational meeting-house,
where Mr. Blacklatch, a churchman of Stratford, had a pew. He left
Stratford and came to reside in Fairfield in 1718.^ The same year he
purchased of " Mr. Isaac Jennings the stone house on the rocks," which.
in a letter to the Secretary of the Church of England, he says " he had
destined to the service of the Church of England." On the town records
we find the following vote: " Dec. 16. 171 8. The town grants unto Dr.
Labarree ye ups of what land he cnfenced ajoining to his orchard in
Fairfield during ye town's pleasure." §

No sooner had Dr. Laborie settled at Fairfield than he began the
labor of Christianizing the Indians in this region. He also gathered such

* Col. Rec. Conn. 1716-1725, p. 36. \ Fairfield Town Records.

X History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, by IJishops Francis L. Hawks and William S.
Perry, pp. 80-S3. § Fairfield Town Records.

I7i8] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 49

persons as favored the Church of Enghmd at his house on the Sabl)ath,
and with them used the services of the Church. In this work, however,
he was soon silenced by Lieutenant-Governor Nathan Gold, who used
him not over tenderly; but he patiently abided his time, as will be shown
hereafter.*

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 8th. The Hon. Nathan
Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and
Captain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant John Edwards representatives
from Fairfield. Justice Nathan Gold was made Chief Judge of tlie Supe-
rior Court. Judge Peter Burr was chosen one of the auditors for the
colony treasury and Judge of the Fairfield County Courts.

At the October Assembly, held in New Haven, Fairfield was fully
represented in both houses. " In consideration of the good services of
the late Captain Nathaniel Seeley, formerly of Fairfield, who lost his life
in the service of the country," the Assembly granted his heirs two hun-
dred acres of land, to be taken up in the ungranted land in the counties
of Fairfield or New Haven. t

Mr. John Taylor was confirmed lieutenant of the cavalry troops, and
Mr. Gershom Bulkley quartermaster for Fairfield County.

Judge Peter Burr having been appointed one of four to burn £792
ys sd. of the old bills of credit, a report was made that they had " burned
& utterly destroyed them."

At a Council held at New Haven, October 27th, a petition was pre-
sented from the proprietors of the salt meadows of Pine Creek, above
the new dam, and of the low meadows adjoining, called Wolf Swamp,
and Reed's pond in Fairfield, that commissioners be appointed for drain-
ing said meadows, which was granted. +

Judge Burr was by the General Council made one of a committee to
settle the division line between New York and Connecticut.

Yale College having become the central educational institution of all
the towns in the Connecticut colony, and having from its foundation been
largely supported by Fairfield, a more particular mention of this insti-
tution has been interwoven with the educational interests of our town
than might otherwise be deemed justifiable. The Rev. Joseph Webb was
not only one of its founders, but one of its most active trustees during a
period of nearly thirty years. He made long journeys on horseback to

* Appendix — Geneal0gic.1l. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1716-1725, p. 71.

t Col. Rec. Conn. 1717-1725. p. 89.

50 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1719

Saybrook, W'cthersfield, Hartford and New Haven, in order to meet with
the other trustees and advise with them for the welfare of the college.

Lieutenant Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John
Burr and Captain John Wakeman, with many other leading Fairfielders,
were appointed to important trusts connected with the affairs of the
college.

At the opening of the General Assembly in IMaj', 1716, the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge,
^Ir. Thomas Buckingham & other trustees placed before them the languishing condition
of the College at Saybrook, & petitioned that a committee be appointed to examine into
the circumstances of this unhappy state of the college. It was represented that, as Hart-
ford was situated niore in the center of the Colony & surrounded with many flourishing
towns, which would undoubtedly send a large number of students, the college should be
located there instead of at Saybrook. It was also thought that if it was located at Hart-
ford quite a number of people from Massachusetts would send their sons there to be
educated ; & that some six or seven hundred pounds had already been subscribed, with
good reason to expect other consideral)le donations, which would make up a thousand
pounds more.

1719. " It appears that the causes attributed to the languishing condition of the
Collegiate School, were not only a want of funds to carry on the institution, but a general
dissatisfaction with its location at Saybrook. Many of the students were obliged to board
a mile or more from the college, while those who lived near Hartford & Wethersfield,
said that it was a hardship for them to be obliged to reside at Saybrook, when they could
as well or better be instructed nearer home." In April of 1717, by a vote of six of the
trustees, the college was removed to New Haven. Owing to the dissatisfaction of some
of the trustees to this movement, an appeal was made to the General Assembly the follow-
ing October, when, " A question being put whether under the present circumstances of the
artairs of the Collegiate School, the reverend trustees be advised to proceed in that affair
& finish the house they have built in New Haven for the entertainment of their scholars
belonging to the collegiate school." It was voted " that the work should continue."

From a marginal note in the Connecticut Colonial Records the fol-
lowing important facts of what took j^lace at that time in regard to the
Collegiate School is to be gathered in reference to the above note:

" This passed the Lower House in the affirmative by 36 voices. Two days previously
the representatives had resolved to .settle the college at Middletown by a vote of 35 for
that place, & 32 for New Haven. At the session of May, 1717, they had voted that it
might be most for the public good & the health of the collegiate school, to have it settled in

some place at or near the Connecticut river. In May. 1718, the House considering the

great dissatisfaction of the country in general, do conclude that in order to [the collegel
flourishing & having the support of this government, it must be settled somewhere near
the Coimccticut river, and that for the present & until it be so settled, the hundred pounds
granted to the tutors for the year 1716, shall be divided between the tutors at Wethersfield,
Saybrook & New Haven, according to the proportion of scholars under their tuition; &
that it may be recommended to the reverend trustees, that the commcncemenls be inter-

1719] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 5 1

changeably one year at Wethersfield, & one year at New Haven till it be further settled to
the satisfaction of this Assembly." "This was passed by 35 voices against 21."*

In 1718 the General Assembly ordered the students to repair to New
Haven; but there appears to have been a considerable opposition to this
order on the part of some of the students, who had placed themselves
under the tuition of Mr. Elisha Williams of Wethersfield. The concilia-
tory acts of the legislature, however, united with the wisdom and pru-
dence of Mr. Webb and some others of the trustees, overcame much of
the opposition. The building of the college now rapidly progressed, and
the hall and library were finished by commencement time. " The build-
ing was 170 feet in length & 22 feet in breadth. It was three stories in
height, with a convenient & spacious hall, a library, about fifty studies in
large chambers, & a kitchen." It was altogether a very fine and elegant
building for those days. Mr. Henry Caner of Stratford was the builder
of the college, and its cost was about one thousand pounds sterling.

Only a few days before Commencement, to the great delight of the
rector, tutors and students, there arrived at Boston, from England, '' a
large box of books, the picture & arms of King George, & two hundred
pounds sterling worth of English goods, all to the value of eight hun-
dred pounds in our money, from Governor Yale of London."

Governor Saltonstall and his lady, the Hon. Colonel Taylor of Bos-
ton, Mr. Joseph Webb, Lieutenant-Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter
Burr, Major John Burr, Richard Hubbell, Esq., and the whole Superior
Court were present at the Commencement, which took place September
10, 1 718, when, in the presence of all assembled in the new hall upon
this happy occasion, the Collegiate School was named Yale College, to
perpetuate the memory of its liberal and bountiful donor, Governor Elihu
Yale. Colonel Taylor represented Governor Yale in an appropriate
speech, after which the audience proceeded to the church, where the
Commencement exercises took place. " In which ofifice, in the first place,
after prayer an oration was had by the saluting orator, James Pierpont,
& then the disputations follow as usual; which concluded, the Rev. Mr.
Davenport (one of the trustees & ministers of Stamford) ofifered an ex-
cellent oration in Latin, expressing their thanks to Almighty God & Mr.
Yale under Him, for so public a favor, & so great regard to our lan-
guishing school. After which were graduated ten young men ; where-
upon the Hon. Gov. Saltonstall, in a Latin speech, congratulated the

* Journals L. H., 1717-1718.

52 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1719

Trustees on their success & in the comfortable appearance of things with
relation to their school. All which ended, the gentlemen returned to
the College Hall, where they were entertained with a splendid dinner.
& the ladies, at the same time were also entertained in the Library ; after
which they sang the four first verses in the 65th Psalm. & so the day
ended."*

Strange to relate, the disaffected trustees and students at the same
time held a Commencement at Wethersfield, upon which occasion Mr.
Woodbridge and Mr. Buckingham gave degrees to those whom they
graduated.

Party feeling ran high for some time about having the college at
New Haven, which was eventually happily settled. The Rev. Mr. Tim-
othy Cutler was chosen rector of the college.t Several grants of land
were made by the Assembly to be sold for its benefit, and there was every
prospect of its becoming a flourishing institution.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 14th. Hon Nathan
Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and
Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman representatives from
Fairfield.

A law was passed entitled, " An act for the better Ordering of Idle
& Poor Persons in the towns of the colony," by which all such persons
were placed under the care of the selectmen of each town and their es-
tates improved for their benefit and their families. No one in health was
allowed to be idle.

Taxes having been levied from lime to time for the re])ayment of
the bills of credit issued in May and June, 1711, and October of 1713. as
they should be drawn in, a further tax was levied of twopence on all tax-
able estates in the colony.

Judge Peter Burr was made one of a committee to examine the re-
turned bills of credit and to burn such as were of no value.

A further act for issuing bills of credit was passed. Mr. Timothy
Green of New London was instructed to procure the best paper from
Boston to print them on. It was also resolved that the engraved plates,
then in the possession of William Dummer, Esq.. son of Jeremiah Dum-
mer, deceased, in whose care they had been left, should be safely con-
veyed to New London for the use of the government. Mr. Timothy

* 'rnimbiill's Hist. Conn., N'ol. II, p|). 22-33. ^''>1- l'^'-"^- Conn., \ol. 1710-1725, pp. 30-83.
t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, pi>. loi, 159.

1719] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 53

Green was placed under oath for the faithful discharge of printing the
new bills of credit for the colony.*

The Hon, Nathan Gold was appointed Chief Judge of the Superior
Court and Judge of the Fairfield County Court, Judge Peter Burr of the
County Courts, and Mr. Richard Osborn was made a Justice of the Peace
for Fairfield County.

A committee was appointed by the town of Fairfield to renew the
bounds of the parsonage lands within the township.

The Rev. Samuel Cook, having been chosen to succeed the late Rev.
Charles Chauncey of Stratfield, the town granted him, " for his encour-
agement in the ministry, the whole right of the herbage of Golden Hill,
both meadow & upland, during the town's pleasure. "t

A long and vexed question — since 1709 — in regard to land and islands
at Maxumus on Green's Farms, was settled at this time by Joseph Bishop
of Stamford, David Sherman of Stratfield and Edmund Lewis of Strat-
ford, with the Couch claimants, by which the Couches gained meadow
lands. " & all the islands of marsh in Compo Creek," dated September 17,
1719.+

The General Assembly met at New Haven October 8th, when Fair-
field was fully represented.

The election sermon preached before the Assembly by Rev. Timothy
Cutler, Rector of Yale College, from the g2d Psalm, verse 5th, " his
thoughts being very deep," was ordered to be printed. §

The taxable estates at Fairfield were valued at £21,084 2.y. od.

Wednesday, April 13, of 1720, was appointed a pubhc fast day
throughout the colony.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 133. f Fairfield Town Votes.

X Fairfield Town Records. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 148.

CHAPTER IX
1720— 1730

CHURCH AND STATE

Green's Farms Church. — Court House. — General Assembly officers. — Upper and Lower Houses of
Assembly. — Trouble with Indians. — Increased taxes on liquor. — Fast day. — Fairfield school
land patent. — Contribution to Yale College. — Beliefs and customs of the Established Church
of the Colony.^A summary of their persecutions. — Church of England vigorously maintained.
— Opposition of the Established Church. — Laws against the Rogerenes. — Tithingmen. —
Punishment for non-observance of the ecclesiastical colony laws. — .Superior Courts. — Trouble
with the eastern Indians. — County troops. — Fast Day. — Yale College converts to the Church
of England. — Rev. George Pigot. — His letters to England. — Persecution of Church of Eng-
land members. — Rev. Joseph Webb's letter. — Rev. Mr. Pigot's and Dr. Laborie's letters. —
Duties of upper and lower houses of Assembly. — School money. — Judge Peter Burr elected
Chief Justice. — Death of Justice Nathan Gold. — Public tax. — Land grant to heirs of Justice
Nathan Gold. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Rev. Samuel Johnson. — His letters. — State and
military officers. — Parliament oath taken. — Sheriff of Fairfield. — Laws for Indians. — Military
sent against eastern Indians. — Signal of friendly Indians. — Massachusetts calls for military
assistance. — Death of Justice Peter Burr. — Troops sent against eastern Indians. — Greenfield
petitions for parish privileges. — Rev. Noah Hobart an assistant to Rev. Mr. Webb. — Captain
Samuel Couch's land patent. — Thanksgiving Day. — -"Opening of the Church of England and
location. — Laws against swearing. — Official fees. — Admission of strangers. — Northwest parish
(Greenfield) embody in church and state. — Covenant. — Rev. John Goodsell. — Church officers.
— How to warn new societies. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Greenfield meeting-house. —
Growth of the Church of England. — Taxation without representation. — Rev. Dr. Johnson's
letters. — Petition of Church of England officers. — Petition granted. — Northwest parish named
Greenfield. — Death of George I. — Accession of George II. celebrated at New Haven. — House
of Correction. — Earthquake and its effects. — Lottery evils. — Churchmen persecuted. — Mr.
Caner's letters. — Public notifications. — Probate Court of Stamford. — Lotteries forbidden. —
Viciousness of the Indians.— Reading petitions to be made a parish. — Fairfield County
enlarged. — Requisites of a freeholder. — Reading made a parish. — Official fees. — Freeman's
rights.

1720. The inhabitants of Green's Farms, or the west parish, had the
satisfaction this year of seeing their meeting-house finished. It had pre-
viously been a rude structure, but now it was finished with galleries and
seats. Ensign Rumsey was invited " to sit under the desk, where he
used to sit . . . & that Capt. Samuel Couch, John Lockwood &
Lieutenants Nash &: Andrews should sit under the desk on the west
side."

i72o] CHURCH AND STATE 55

A commodious court-house was also erected on the Fairfield AliHtary
Green and situated behind the present Town House.

At a meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 12th, Judge
Nathan Gold was again elected Deputy Governor and Chief Judge of the
Superior Courts in Fairfield County, and Major John Burr and Captain
Samuel Couch representatives from Fairfield.

Major John Burr was made one of the public treasury auditors. Judge
Peter Burr was chosen Judge of the County Court.

Major John Burr, with four others, was appointed to receive and
destroy the old bills of credit which had been returned to the treasury.

An act was passed for forming the lower house or house of represen-
tatives to the General Assembly, that when the new State House was
finished at Hartford they should meet at eight o'clock in the morning
on election day in the chamber set apart for them, and choose a speaker
and clerk for the session.

It appears that since the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, there had ex-
isted more or less ill-will between the French of Canada and their Indian
allies, which caused frequent alarms along the frontier towns of the New
England colonies. The English attributed the existing troubles to the
influence of one Father Sebastian Ralle and the French Jesuits, while the
French Canadians laid all the blame to the ever encroaching spirit of
the English in acquiring territory by unlawful means.* The Indian dep-
redations became at this time more and more alarming, so that the
inhabitants of Danbury made an appeal to the Governor and Council
for protection. They represented that Chicken, living in Fairfield County
near Danbury, had received two belts of wampum from Indians west of
the Hudson, and asking for permission to come and live within the Con-
necticut colony. Major John Burr, with three other gentlemen, were
forthwith ordered to visit " the Potatuck & Wiantinuck & Poquannuck
Indians, & cause the said Chicken, to whom the belts & message were
sent, to disclose all he & his tribe had learned of the design of their Indian
visitors, & to order them to attend the next meeting of the General As-
sembly." Major Burr was requested " to return home by way of Dan-
bury, & to quiet the inhabita,nts there & those near them, of their appre-
hensions of danger from the Indians." t

The General Court met October 13th at New Haven, when Deputy

* Hollister's History of Connecticut, Vol. I., pp. 382-3S9.
f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 203.

56 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD 1 1720

Governor Gold, Peter Burr as Assistant, and Captain Joseph Wakeman
and Captain Samuel Couch were present.

The alarming increase of intemperance in the colony led to renewed
effort to suppress it, and at this time a tax of fifteen pounds was levied
on every hogshead of rum imported into the colony, one-tenth part of
which should be paid to the naval officers and the remainder to the
colony treasurer. Any evasion of this law led to the confiscation of the
liquor.

Wednesday, April i9rh, was ordered by proclamation to be set a])art
as a day of public fasting throughout the colony.

At the sitting of this court the Fairfield members were so fortunate
as to obtain a patent for their school lands; which land was "to be im-
proved for the use & behoof of a Grammar School to be kept in said town,
& for no other use whatsoever." As no particular persons were named
to whom the patent should be granted, the Court ordered " that a patent
be granted to the Hon. Nathan Gold Esqr., Peter Burr Esqr., Major
John Burr, Capt. Joseph Wakeman, Capt. Moses Dimon, & Lieut. Jon-
athan Sturges, all of Fairfield, & their heirs at the common law, to hold
the said six hundred acres of land for the use aforesaid."*

It was voted that as a suitable dwelling-house was needed for the use
of the rector of Yale College, a collection should be made in July in all
the towns in the colony for this purpose, of which Fairfield paid her share.

In order to comprehend the history of the ecclesiastical affairs of
Fairfield at this time, we must turn to the earliest records of the colony.
One of the first steps taken by a colony in beginning a settlement was
to enter into a mutual covenant " in the presence of God, to walk to-
gether in all His ways, according as He was pleased to reveal Himself
in His blessed word of truth."

Before a company was allowed to enter upon the work of a new set-
tlement, the General Court required that they should prove themselves
capable of colonizing a town and maintaining a clergyman. The neces-
sary number to form a church, it was thought, " should be of no greater
number than may ordinarily meet together conveniently in one place,
nor ordinarily fewer than may conveniently carry on church work."
Those who entered into covenant for the maintenance of a church were
not admitted as church members, nor allowed the i)rivilege of partaking
of the Lord's Supper, or to present their children in baptism until they

♦<ol. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 243.

1720] CHURCH AND STATE - 57

had made a public profession of a change of heart. Each parish was com-
posed of a body of members independent and separate from all other
parishes, which elected and ordained its own officers. The duties of the
officers were to admit, govern, censure and expel its members, as well
as to make such laws as should be for the benefit of the church. They
acknowledged the necessity of synods or general councils in weighty
matters, but regarded the discipline of every church to be vested " in
the church alone," and not subject to any outside influence. For these
reasons they were called Congregationalists.

The earliest parishes generally supported two ministers, one called
a pastor and the other a teacher. There were one or more ruling elders,
as well as deacons, who shared with the pastor and teacher the govern-
ment and discipline of the church. " The office of the pastor was to work
upon the wills and affections of his people, that his hearers might be led
to love & praise the truth; while that of the teacher was to expound
the doctrines of Christianity, & particularly to explain the scriptures."
The office of the latter was at an early date merged into that of the
pastor.

Their ministers were men of education, many of whom were gradu-
ates of Oxford and Cambridge in England. Some of them were men
of distinction, who were wealthy and gave largely of their means towards
the support of their congregations. Voluntary contributions, however,
were taken up every Sabbath for some years for the maintenance of
ministers. In 1644 t'he commissioners of the United Colonies met at
Hartford and passed a law: "That those who were taught in the word
in the several plantations should be called together, that every man vol-
untarily set down what he is willing to allow to that end, &c., & if any
man refuse to pay a meet proportion, that then he be rated by authoritv
in some just & equal way, & if after this any man withhold or delay due
payment the civil power is to be exercised as in other just debts."

The ministers were not at first ordained by other ministers, accord-
ing to the custom of the present day. but by the officers of the congre-
gations by whom they were elected; and when without officers, by pri-
vate members laying on of hands. Each minister was a layman to all
the world but to his congregation. They were not regarded as ministers
before their election over a congregation or after their resignation.

The office of the ruling elder was to maintain the discipline of the
church, to watch the walk and conversation of its members, to admin-

58 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD bl'°

ister to the spiritual and temporal needs of the sick, and in the absence
of the pastor to expound the scriptures, and to exhort and pray with
the congregation. The deacons conducted the prudential affairs of the
church and provided for the poor. All the officers of the church were
set apart to their trusts with the most solemn services.

In religious views our ancestors were Calvinists. The doctrines of
original sin, total depravity, election and predestination, particular re-
demption, effectual calling and perseverance of saints, formed the basis
of many lengthy and most earnest sermons. They aimed to control
society by the discipline of the Mosaic law.

Finding, as they concluded, no scriptural ground for calling a house
of worship a church, they adopted the name of Meeting-House instead.
And as only church members were allowed to hold civil offices, that
they might be controlled by true wisdom and righteousness in all their
acts, their public meetings and elections were held in the Meeting-
House. It was the custom for many years in Fairfield to hold a town
meeting immediately after the week-day prayer meeting, which was
regularly appointed on Wednesday evening by a vote of the town.

The first churches were necessarily of a rude and simple style of
architecture, and for many years were stifif and bare of ornament of any
kind. In the place of the high altar of the Romanist overshadowed with
cherubims, rose a pulpit which elevated the head of the preacher almost
to the ceiling. When in the course of time the Meeting House required
more room than the members could conveniently find within its walls,
galleries were introduced. And many undoubtedly remember the two
boxes in each corner over the main entrance above the galleries, which
were set apart for the sons and daughters of Africa. Pews or slips and
square sittings with high backs took the place of the first long benches
without backs.*

It was the custom of Puritan ministers to explain passages in the
Bible as they read them to the people. Not to do so was to bring re-
proach upon their calling, it being regarded as conforming to the old
usages of the churches they had forsaken. Their desire was to make
plain the word of God to all men. To read a chapter or psalm from the
Bible without explanation was called dumh-ycadiui^.

The act of exhorting the people was called prophecy. Officers and
private members of churches were called upon to prophesy. It was the

* ralfrty, History of New England.

i72o] CHURCH AND STATE 59

custom when a neighboring clergyman officiated, after the singing of a
psalm, for the ruHng elder of the congregation to say : " If this present
brother hath any word of exhortation, let him say on." And the ex-
hortation was called prophecy.

Our forefathers believed in early infant baptism. They were not
wholly able to shake off the customs of the religion in which they had
been trained, consequently they were much more strict than the Con-
gregationalists of the present day. Palfrey says : " Their children were
baptized in the meeting-house but a few days after their birth, & some-
times the very day following. If a child was born on the Sabbath it was
baptized on that day." Great care was taken of the children of their
slaves. The church records in Fairfield, Green's Farms and the neigh-
boring towns ofifer many interesting proofs of the above statements.

During the communion service the fashion of sitting while receiving
the elements was observed. This was thought to be the most fitting
posture, and the idea seems to have originated from the custom of the
Jews at the Passover feast, and because our Saviour is represented as
sitting while he instituted the Sacrament. Another reason for this pos-
ture was to do away with eucharistical adoration.

Of forms our ancestors had a real horror. A surplice was to them
but the invention of the Evil One. The cross, which but reminds us
of the sufferings of the Redeemer of the World, was allowed no place
within or without their houses of worship, lest some ignorant soul break
the second commandment by bowing down to it, and thus commit the
sin of idolatry.

The Lord's Day, or Sabbath, was a day of great solemnity among
our ancestors. Their Sabbath commenced at six o'clock on Saturday
evening and continued until six o'clock on Sunday evening. The big
oven in the kitchen was opened for an array of bread, meats, cakes and
pies on Saturday morning to be baked, for no cooking was allowed on
the Sabbath until the services of the day were over. A cold lunch was
served in the place of a dinner. But upon their return home from the
afternoon service they made up for any deficit in that respect by a boun-
tiful hot supper. Those who came from Stratfield, Greenfield and Green's
Farms, before those places were incorporated as separate parishes, rode
to church on horseback, and carried their lunches in their saddle-bags.
The children were taught their Sunday-school lessons on Saturday after-
noon. The little ones used the short Assembly Catechism and the older

6o HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1720

children the long Westminster Assembly Catechism. They were also
required to commit to memory one or more passages of scripture, be-
sides a hymn or psalm, as well as to remember the texts on the Sabbath
and learn them by heart after church was over.

One of the most pleasing recollections of their Sabbath was the noon
gatherings in the summer of neighbors and friends who lived long dis-
tances apart, under the shade trees of the Meeting-House Green, where
in groups scattered here and there friendly greetings were exchanged and
the repose of the Sabbath enjoyed until the roll of the drum called them
into the church for the afternoon service. In the winter they gathered
in the Sabbath Day house and in the houses of hospitable relatives and
friends,*

The young men were not allowed to stand at the entrance of the
meeting-house to comment on those who came to church, and to make
public their want of reverence for the place and for those who entered
within. The delinquent, who so far forgot the honor due to the house
of God and to his betters, was ordered into church by the sentinels on
duty, and if he forgot himself in church he was melted into propriety by
the fixed gaze of the minister, the ruling elders and the deacons, as well
as the constables, the grand jurors and tithing men, whose duty it was
to watch for such offenders.

The efYort made by the Church of England in the reign of Edward
the Sixth to restore the simple ritual of her ancient church, which her
bishops and clergy declared to St. Augustine in the fifth century they
had received through Lyons from the Apostle St. John, was the first
glimmer of light which preceded the Reformation in England. To re-
store the old ritual, not to destroy, was the aim of those good men who
sacrificed life and fortune in order to throw off the power and errors
of the Church of Rome.

The name of Protestant, which originated at the diet of Spires in
Germany, when a protest was raised against further innovations on the
part of Rome until the convocation of an Ecumenical council could be

* Many comments in both religious and secular publications are maile now-a-days about the
solemnity of the Puritan .Sabbath ; but the worldings of to-day, who know nothing of the peace and
happiness of a New England Sabbath are incapable of forming any idea of the happiness of keeping
a hallowed Lord's iMy, with its sweet communion with CJod, nature and loved friends. It "hal-
lowed all the week to come," and made life's burdens lighter. There was nothing lost in keeping
God's commandment " Thou shalt keep the Sabbath Day holy," but a peace and joy was gained,
which comes only in obeying this holy will. — Author.

i72o] CHURCH AND STATE 6l

called, extended to all classes opposed to the new dogmas of the Church
of Rome.

In the reign of Queen Elizabeth the Protestants were divided into
two parties, those who favored the ritual order of the Church of Eng-
land, which had been adopted in the reign of Edward the Sixth, and those
who desired to cast aside any ritual whatever, in order to carry out what
they conceived to be a purer and more simple form of worship. The
desire of the latter was not at first to separate from the Church of Eng-
land, but to gain pre-eminence in ecclesiastical power. In 1567, how-
ever, this separation took place, and those who seceded from the church
were first called Separatists. The name of Puritan also was given them,
from their rigid views in regard to a religious life, as well as to their
strict observance of the Sabbath. This name was first applied to those
small bodies of Protestants who fled from England to the Continent dur-
ing the reign of the Bloody Mary. Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth
they were treated with great rigor, which but alienated their affe.ctions
and caused them to cling all the more closely to their religious views.
They had hoped for brighter days when King James the First, who had
been partly educated under Presbyterian influence, ascended the throne.
But this hope faded away under the severity of the persecutions he caused
them to endure. The marriage of Charles the First to Henrietta Maria,
the beautiful daughter of Henry the Great of France, was an offence in
the eyes of the Puritans, and under her influence, and that of Archbishop
Laud's mistaken zeal and want of gentleness for the interests of the
Church of England, they turned their thoughts towards America. Here
thev hoped to establish a church in which they might worship their
Maker without restraint from king or prelate.

At the present day we must look back upon all ecclesiastical bodies
of that age as lacking in those great essentials of Christianity embodied
in the new commandment of our Redeemer. " Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself." The age in which Puritanism had its rise was one
of great religious intolerance. Whichever ecclesiastical body was in the
ascendancy for the time being was chronicled with such persecutions
towards those who differed from them in religious thought as cannot
give any one of them an exalted place in history as having been the pos-
sessors of those lovable traits which our Saviour left as a guide upon
the inspired pages of His Holy Word.

The reign of Bloody Mary was marked with most cruel persecutions

62 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1720

towards all who differed from the prescribed views of the Romanists.
No less than three hundred Protestants suffered by fire at the stake,
among whom were Archbishop Cranmer, Bishops Latimer, Hooker and
Ridley.

The reig-n of Elizabeth, while much more mild than that of Mary
towards those who differed with her in religious beliefs, was harsh and
intolerant towards the Puritans. Many were imprisoned, some were ban-
ished and others were hanged. The Queen declared: "that she would
maintain the religion that she was crowned in, & that she was baptized
in; & would suppress the Papistical religion that it should not grow; but
that she would root out Puritanism, & the favorers thereof." It was
during the latter part of her reign that the Rev. John Robinson and his
devoted flock fled to Leyden in Holland, and who from the repeated
efforts they made to leave England at this time, and in the early part
of the reign of James the First, and finally to seek a home in the wilder-
ness of America, have most justly been called The Pilgrim Fathers of
New England.

The severity which characterized the reign of James the First, who
professed even to hate the name of Puritan, caused many of those who
bore this dread name to flee to Holland and finally to America.

The harsh measures pursued by Archbishop Laud in the reign of
Charles the First, when the Puritans were fined, whipped, pilloried and
imprisoned, is most saddening to contemplate. The barbarities inflicted
upon Leighton, and afterwards upon Prynne, Bostwick and Burton, al-
though accused of publishing schismatic and seditious libels, are without
excuse.

But when the Puritans gained the ascendancy all righteous souls to
this day have felt a chill of horror run through every vein when the mild,
vacillating Charles First, through the power of the victorious Cromwell
and the Puritans, was brought to the cruel block. Burnet says of this
unhappy monarch : " He was much inclined to a middle way between
Protestants & Papists, by which he lost the one without gaining the
other."

The revenge of the persecuted Prynne, when he gained power over
the aged Archbishop Laud, finds no excuse among Christian writers.
The banishment of that good man, Roger Williams, who appears to have
risen above the persecuting spirit of the age in which he lived, is a blot
u])on the historic pages of Massachusetts. The banishment also of so

1720] CHURCH AND STATE 63

afflicted and unfortunate a lady as Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, by which she
and her household became the victims of savage rage, was an act of in-
tolerance lamentable in the extreme. The persecutions endured by the
Quakers and the Baptists at the hands of our ancestors history cannot
overlook.

These instances have been recalled lest some of us attribute to our
forefathers a greater degree of Christian charity towards those who dif-
fered from them in religious thought, which, in reality, they did not pos-
sess. At the same time we must recall the severity of the persecutions
they had endured in England, and the age in which they lived.

In contrast to the gay Cavaliers of the court of King Charles, the
Puritans assumed an austerity of dress and religious deportment which
became a subject of jest among the court attendants. The Cavaliers, on
the other hand, " affected a gaiety & freedom of manner inconsistent
with Puritanical ideas, & in order to show their contempt of Puritanical
austerity, often carried their convivial humor to an indecent excess." The
name of Puritan, therefore, became a term of reproach to those bodies
of Christians who were called Independents, Presbyterians and Brown-
ists or Congregationalists. The Puritans looked with equal contempt
upon the Cavaliers, whom they regarded as an abandoned set of profli-
gates, as many of them in truth were. The Puritans accepted the Bible
only as their guide, and established church law and discipline according
to the light which they received from its sacred pages. In dress and
manners as well as in church decoration they aimed to be the opposite
of the Church of Rome and the Church of England. Reform was their
watchword, and everything was reformed but the heart of man, which
leaves in the history of each century traces of its original father Adam.

There are many who are too much inclined to cavil at the idea that
the Pilgrim Fathers and the Puritans sought the shores of New England
purely to escape the religious persecutions of the mother country. That
there were many adventurers who joined them from time to time, who
were often a source of great discomfort as well as detriment in keeping
peace at home and with the Indians, is a well-established historical fact.
But no one can deny that those of Robinson's congregation, who set-
tled at Plymouth, the Rev. Mr. John Wareham and his congregation,
of whom the historian, Trumbull, says, " this was an honorable body,"
and the congregation of the famous preacher, Thomas Hooker, fled to
New England purely and solely that they might escape from the perse-

64 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1721

eutions of the intolerant religious spirit inflicted upon them in England.
From these three congregations the earliest settlers of Fairfield separated.
Some of them were among that memorable company of about one hun-
dred, men, women and children, who left Cambridge with the Rev. Mr.
Hooker and his assistant, Mr. Stone, and who made their way through
the trackless wilderness to Wethersfield, Windsor and Hartford with no
guide but their compass, no covering but the canopy of heaven and the
overshadowing forest, " nor any lodgings but those which simple nature
afforded them."

To vigorously maintain their ecclesiastical views the Pilgrim Fathers
and those of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were influenced at an early
date to make the Congregational Church the established church of those
settlements. Connecticut followed their example. Therefore, the foot-
hold gained by the Church of England at Stratford and Fairfield at this
period caused great excitement.

1721. The General Assembly met at Hartford May nth. when the
Hon. Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor and Chief Judge of the
Superior Court, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and Major John Burr
and Captain Joseph Wakeman representatives from Fairfield. Judge
Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors and Judge of the Fair-
field County Court, and Air. Richard Osborn Justice of the Peace for
the county.

It was thought advisable at this time to make more stringent laws
in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, and also to rigorously main-
tain the worship of the Congregational Church of the colony, as well as
to prevent the Church of England or any denomination from gaining a
foothold among them. There was a growing tendency, however, towards
favoring these services. Therefore the General Assembly proceeded to
pass the following laws :

"Be if enacted by the Governor, Council & Representatives, in General Court assem-
bled, & by the authority of the same, That whatsoever person shall not duly attend to the
public worsliip of God on the Lord's day in some congregation by law allowed, unless
hindered by sickness or otherwise necessarily detained, & to be therefore convicted before
an assistant or Justice oT the Peace, either by confession or sufficient witnesses, or bein.u
presented to such authority for such neglect, shall not be able to prove to the satisfaction
of the said authority that he or she has attended the said worship, shall incur the penalty
of five shillings money for every such offence.

"Be it also further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That whatsoever person shall
go from his or her place of abode on the Lord's Day, unless to or from the public worship
of God, attended or to be attended upon by such person in some place by law allowed for

1721] CHURCH AND STATE C^'

that end, or unless it be on some other work necessary then to be done, & be therefore
convicted as aforesaid, shall incur the penalty of five shillings money for every such
offence.

"Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That whatsoever persons shall on
the Lord's day, under any pretence whatsoever, assemble themselves in any of the public
meeting houses provided in any town, or parish or society, for the use of the minister &
congregation of such town, parish or society, without the leave or allowance of such
minister & congregation first had obtained, & be therefore convicted as aforesaid, every
such person or persons shall incur the penalty of twenty shillings, money, for every such
offence.

"Be it also enacted by the authority aforesaid, That whatsoever persons shall be
guilty of any rude & unlawful behavior on the Lord's day, either in word or action, by
clamorous discourse, shouting, hallooing, screaming, running, riding, singing, dancing,
jumping, winding horns, or the like, in any house or place so near to any public meeting
house for divine worship, that those who meet there may be disturbed by such rude &
profane behaviour, & being thereof convicted in like manner, shall incur the penalty of
forty shillings, money, for every such offence.

"It is further enacted. That whatsoever person shall be present at any unlawful meet-
ing, or be guilty of going from the place of his or her abode, & unlawful behaviour on the
Lord's day, contrary to this act, & being therefore convicted & fined as aforesaid, & shall
refuse & neglect to pay his or her fine, or tender to the assistant, or justice of the peace,
before whom such person shall stand convicted, such security as the said authority shall
judge sufficient for the payment of it, within the space of one week after such conviction,
such assistant or Justice of the peace shall immediately cause such convicted person to be
sent to the house of correction, there to lye at his or her own charge & be employed in
labor, not exceeding a month for any one offence, & less as the offence is, at the discretion
of the judge; the profit of such labor to be to the town treasury, except paying the charge
of prosecuting the delinquents ; & the sheriff of the county to see that said delinquent do
so labor as aforesaid.*

At the meeting of the Assembly in New Haven, October 12th, Mr.
Jonathan Sturges acted as representative in place of Major John Burr.
For further good government of the towns a law was passed :

* It appears that about this time there arose in the Colony a sect called Rogerenes, so named
from one John Rogers of New London, who set out to be something more than a common man.
With a party of men and women calling themselves Singing Quakers he went through the Colony
singing and dancing, proclaiming " how their lips dropped with myrrh and honey." From the
state records the following report is given of them. " It seemed to be their study and delight to
violate the Sabbath, insult magistrates and ministers and to trample on all laws and authority human
and divine. They would come on the Lord's Day into the most public assemblies nearly quite
naked, and in time of public worship in a wild and tumultuous manner, crying out and charging
the most venerable minister with lies and false doctrine. They would labor on the Lord's Day,
drive carts by places of public worship, and from town to town, apparently on purpose to disturb
Christians and Christian assemblies. They seemed to take pains to violate the laws in the presence
of officers, that they might be complained of, and have an opportunity to insult the laws, the court
and all civil authority." f

t TrumbuH's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2., p. 38.
Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 166.
5

66 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1721

" That each town at their annual meetings in December shall choose two or more
Tything Men in each parish or society for divine worship within said town, who shall
forthwith be sworn to a faithful discharge of the work hereby allotted to them, or if they
neglect or refuse to take said oath, shall pay a fine of forty shillings to the treasury of
said town, to be recovered in a manner as other fines."

It was also made a law :

"That each of tiic grand-jury-men & the said tithing-men & constables of each town
shall carefully inspect the behaviour of all persons on the Sabbath or Lord's Day, especially
between the meetings of divine worship on the said day, whether in the place of such
public meeting or elsewhere, & due presentment make of any profanation of the worship of
God on the Lord's-day, or on any day of public fast or thanksgiving; or breach of Sabbath
which they or any of them shall see or discover any person to be guilty of. to the next
assistant or justice of the peace; who is hereby impowered, upon such presentment to him
made, to cause such offender to be brought before him, & upon due conviction of such
offence, to impose a fine upon him to the treasury, not exceeding five shillings in money.''

Each graiul-juryman, tything-man or constable was allowed two shil-
ling's per diem, spent in prosecuting- such offenders :

— " to be paid for the person offending, or by the parents or master of such person ; &
upon neglect or refusal of payment thereof, or of other charge of such offenders or
delinquents prosecution, such assistant or justice of the peace shall grant execution for
the same against such person or his parent or master."

"Provided, That no person prosecuted on this act shall be charged w-ith more th.in
for one person prosecuting him for such offence."

'■ Provided, That all presentments for any of the aforeinentioned offences be one
month after the commission thereof."

■'That whensover any person shall be lawfully convicted of any offence against this
act, or any other act provided for the punishing of any profanation of the Sabbath, or of
any disturbance to any congregation allowed for the worshipping of God, during the time
that they are assembling for, & attending on such worship, & shall, being fined for such
offence, neglect or refuse to pay the said fine, or present some estate on which execution
for said fine may be levyed, such court, or assistant, or justice of peace, before whom such
conviction shall be had, are hereby impowered to sentence such offender to be publicly
wiiipped with any number of stripes not exceeding twenty, respect being had to the nature
& aggravation of such offence."

" Provided. & it is hereby provided & enacted, That if any children or servants, not
of the age of discretion, shall be convicted of any of the offences mentioned in this act,
they shall be punished therefore in such manner & way as is provided for their punishment
when convicted of lying, & in no other way. And also, that no execution shall be served
on any parent or master, by virtue of this act, for the fault of any child or servant, within
one month next after such child or servant shall be convicted of such fault."

Ten shillings was the fine required for the first offence of lying, and if the offending
party was not able to pay ten shillings, he was obliged to sit in the stocks, at the discretion
of the Court or Magistrate, in some place not exceeding three hours. For the second
offence a fine of twenty shillings was required, or the delinquent was to receive upon
the naked I)ody twenty strii)es and no more; for the third offence forty shillings, and if
tmable to pay this sum. thtii not more than thirty stripes was to be inflicted upon the

1722] CHURCH AND STATE 67

naked body. If the habit was generally continued in, the fine was increased ten shillings
for each offence, or with five or six stripes more than formerly, the stripes not exceeding
forty at any time.*

The Assembly at this time levied a tax of foiirpence on every gallon
of rum imported into the colony, and also passed a law : " That what
shall be gained by the imposts on rum for two years next coming shall
be applied for the building of a rector's house for Yale College."

The time of holding the Superior Courts in the county towns was
changed. The last Tuesday of February and the last Tuesday in August
was set apart for holding them annually.

It appears that the berries of Bayberry were used for making tallow
candles, and, in consequence, for every peck gathered before they were
fully grown and ripe a fine was imposed of 2s. 6d. The loth of September
was set for gathering them.

1722. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May loth,
Justice Nathan Gold was re-elected Deputy Governor and Mr. Robert
Siliiman acted as representative in place of Captains Joseph Wakeman
and Moses Dimon.

Captain Joseph Wakeman was made one of a committee to confer
with Governor Shute of Massachusetts in regard to the Connecticut
militia being called out to assist in suppressing the depredations of the
eastern Indians. It was voted that the arms and artillery of the towns
should be repaired and made ready for service. And that colonels and
lieutenant-colonels should be appointed over the county regiments. It
was represented that such store of ammunition as the law required was
wanting in the magazines. The majors of each town were requested to
inspect the military stores and to take care that such as were needed
be supplied.

Mr. Gershom Bulkley of Fairfield was confirmed cornet player and
Mr. Thomas Hill quartermaster of the Fairfield cavalry troops. Fair-
field was soon after supplied with one barrel of gunpowder for the public
service.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £23,504 3.9. 6d.

Mr. Timothy Green was ordered in November to print four thousand
pounds of bills of credit,

Wednesday the loth of April was ordered to be proclaimed a day of
public fasting.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 277.

68 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1722

This year the Congregational Church of Christ at Fairfield was pre-
sented with two silver cups to be used at the Communion. One of these
cups was the gift of E. Wyncoop and the other of Jonathan Sturges, Esq.

Yale College had become at this time in every way a flourishing in-
stitution with a resident rector, two tutors and about forty scholars.
Contributions of books and money from private and public sources had
enriched it, so that it was fast acquiring distinction. The Rev. Mr. Cutler
was popular and beloved by the students. But to the great surprise and
mortification of the trustees and the Congregational Church, he became
a convert to the Church of England. In his convictions he was joined
by Mr. .Brown, one of the tutors, a Mr. Johnson of West Haven and a
Mr. Whetmore of East Haven. It w^as also found that these gentlemen
intended making a voyage to England to receive Episcopal orders.

Those persons who favored the Church of England in Fairfield
were this year greatly cheered at the arrival from England of the Rev.
George Pigot, who was sent to this country by the Society for the Propa-
gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He took up his residence at
Stratford, and for the most part divided his time between Stratford and
Fairfield.

Dr. Laborie had already taken the first step towards forming a parish,
and he was now particularly encouraged by the arrival of a settled clergy-
man at Stratford.

The condition of the small bands of the Church of England people
in these parts was reported by Mr. Pigot to the Secretary of the Society
in England soon after his arrival in this country. His first report is
dated August 20, 1722, in which he states that the President of Yale
College, the Rev. Timothy Cutler, and five more belonging to the col-
lege were " determined to declare themselves professors of the Church
of England."

In a letter to the Secretary of the Society, dated October 3, 1722, Mr.
Pigot wrote :

" I shall before Christmas, according to appointment, preach thrice in Fairfield, which
is eight miles distant from my abode — as often at Ripton, at the same distance — in which
places I have & shall take care to improve the festivals of our church to such purposes, &
where these do not intervene, on other week days.

On the fourth of last month, at the desire of the President, I repaired to the Com-
mencement of Yale College, in New Haven, where in the face of the whole country the
aforesaid gentleman, & six others, hereafter named, declared themselves in this wise, that
they could not longer keep out of the Communion of the Holy Catholic Church, & that

1722] CHURCH AND STATE 69

some of them doubted of the validity, & the rest were persuaded of the invalidity of Pres-
byterian ordination in opposition to Episcopal. The gentlemen fully persuaded thereof
are the five following, viz. : Mr. Cutler, president of Yale College ; Mr. Brown, tutor to
the same ; Mr. Elliot, pastor of Killingworth ; Mr. Johnson, pastor of West Haven, & Mr.
Wetmore. The two gentlemen who seemed to doubt are Mr. Hart, pastor of East
Guilford, & ]\Ir. Whittlesy, pastor of Wallingford. These seven gave in their declaration
in writing, & at the same time two more, & these pastors of great note gave their assent,
of whom the one, Mr. Bulkley of Colchester, declared Episcopacy to be jure divino, & the
other, j\Ir. Whiting, of some remote town, gave his opinion for moderate Episcopacy.

Newtown, Ripton & Fairfield do intend to petition the Honorable Society for Church
ministers. I now inform you Sir of what obstructions I met with in my ministry, & they
are several, viz. : that of Lieut. Governor Nathan Gold, who is a most inveterate slanderer
of our Church, charging her with popery, apostacy, & atheism, — who makes it his business
to hinder the conversion of all whom he can, by threatening them with his authority — &
who as a judge of the court here, disfranchises men merely for being Churchmen; also
that of living under a charter government, in which there is not the least mention of
ecclesiastical affairs ; so that they have boldly usurped to themselves, & insultingly imposed
on the necks of others, the power of taxing & disciplining all persons whatsoever, for the
grandeur & support of their self-created ministers; also, that of lying slanders, continually
against our Mother, as if she were a persecutress, & gaped for the tenth of the country's
increase, & though these deceivers pretend a firm attachment to the illustrious house of
Hanover, yet they are frequently oppugning the King's supremacy." *

In the same letter he asks for Common Prayer Books and Catechisms.
From this letter it would appear that the prosperity of the Church of
England was advancing, even under all the adverse circumstances against
its gaining a foothold in the colony.

Pequonnock on the one side had taken away a large number from
the Prime Society, while Green's Farms on the other side had also drawn
away a goodly number. The northwest parish, or Greenfield, had begun
to show signs of her ability to support a minister of her own, and Lone-
town, or Reading, was also whispering in the same strain. No wonder,
therefore, independent of the strong prejudices which many entertained
against the Church of England, that the Congregational elders and dea-
cons set out with a resolute determination to prevent, if possible, any
further drain upon their congregation.

It is not always possible for an historian to do justice to historical
facts, especially where differences of religious opinions are to be laid

* Dr. Trumbull states there exists a tradition that Governor Saltonstall, who well understood
the doctrine of the Church of England, became the champion of the Congregational and Tresby-
terian churches ; and that he argued the point of controversy — which appears to have been the
validity of Congregational ordination, with Mr. Cutler before the Commencement. It appears that
from Gov. Saltonstall's argument two of the gentlemen who had favored the Church of England
declared Uiemselves satisfied with their early views. Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2, p. 33.

70 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1722

before the public, without incurring- displeasure either on one side or
the other; nevertheless, such facts as are based upon ungarnished truth
can never offend truth seekers. The stormy epoch in the history of
Fairfield, which at this time roused bitter feelings and sad misunder-
standings, will, therefore, be faithfully and impartially related.

An idea of the state of religious feeling in Fairfield about the time
of the Rev. Mr. Pigot's arrival may be gathered from the following letter,
written by Mr. Webb to the Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather, and dated October
3, 1722:

" The axe is laid to the root of our civil & sacred enjoyments, & a doleful gap opened
for trouble & confusion in our churches. The Churchmen are wonderfully lifted up. It
is a very dark day for us, & we need piety, prayers & counsel. We need help of some good
arguments used by those who are skilled in controversy, & have acted well therein. They
will, I conclude, allege that the ordinations among us were Presbyterian, because several
pastors in our colony, in tlie more ancient days of it, were ordained by laymen, & those
pastors so ordained have acted in the latter ordinations among us. This the Churchmen
among us improve, by a fling now & then about the ' leather mitten ' that was laid
on the head of the Rev. Mr. Chauncey of Stratford, many years since deceased, by one of
the brethren acting at his ordination.*

What led those eminent men, who first settled this country, to allow laymen to act
in such affairs is not for me to say. But what I would say in this case is, how shall we
be able to justify ourselves if this article be insisted on by our antagonists? The notion
of these ordinations by laymen, I fear, do us more damage than all the arguments that
can be brought for the necessity of Episcopal ordination. Our condition I look upon as
very deplorable & sad. Please to communicate the contents of my letter to your venerable
& honorable father, & to as many of the ministers of Boston, &c., as you may judge meet.
And let me [though unworthy] have, as soon as may be, what comfort, light & strength is
needed in our sad circumstances, from as many of you, as will please to engage in the
cause. Thus desiring an interest in your prayers for us, I subscribe myself.
Rev. & honored Sir,

Your humble servant,

Joseph Webr.+

In an address delivered by President Woolsey before Yale College
on the 14th of August, 1850, he thus speaks of Mr. Cutler and the other
ministers who had declared themselves in favor of the Church of England :

" 'j'hat these gentlemen were honest in their persuasion seems undoubted; & indeed,
under the circumstances in which they found themselves, the first champions of an un-
welcome theory in the Colony, & dissenters from the church order there established,
there was every motive for dishonest or timid men to conceal their opinions. There seems
to be little doubt that they studied together the points of difference between the Church

* It appears that Elder Brinsmaid of Long 1 1 ill w.is present at this ordination and forgetting
to remove his leather mitten, laid his gloved hand upon the head of the Rev. Mr. Chauncey.
\ IJishop Ilawkcs and I'erry's Mist, of Protestant Episcopal Cliurch. |

1722] CIIURCM AND STATE 7 1

of England & other sects which had separated from it, — that books in the library of the
college wrought this change in their sentiments. A departure for the first time in the
Colony, & of so many at once, from the views of the New England churches, & a return
to that church from which the pilgrims had fled into the wilderness, filled the minds of
men with apprehension & gloom, — feelings which extended into the neighboring Colony.
I suppose that greater alarm would scarcely be awakened now if the Theological Faculty
of the College were to declare for the Church of Rome, vow their belief in transubstan-
tiation, & pray to the Virgin ]\Iary."

At a meeting of the trustees in New Haven in October, the following-
resolutions were passed :

" That the trustees, in faithfulness to the trust reposed in them, do excuse the Rev.
Mr. Cutler from all further services as rector of Yale College : That the trustees accept
of the resignation which Mr. Brown hath made as tutor. And that all such persons as
shall hereafter be elected to the ofifice of rector, or tutor in this college, shall before they
accept before the trustees, declare their assent to the confession of faith owned and
assented to by the elders & managers of the churches in the Colony of Connecticut, assem-
bled by delegates at Saybrook Sept. 9, 1708: & confirmed by act of General Assembly: &:
shall particularly give satisfaction to them, of the soundness of their faith in opposition to
Arminian & prelatical corruptions, or of any other dangerous consequence to the purity &
peace of our churches." *

Soon after the dismission of Mr. Cutler from the College he, with
Mr. Brown and Mr. Johnson, went to England to receive Episcopal
ordination. They were received by the vice-chancellors of the English
universities with marked attention and respect. From both universities
Mr. Cutler had conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity,
and Mr. Johnson that of Master of Arts. Upon their return from Eng-
land as missionaries from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel,
Dr. Cutler settled at Boston and Mr. Samuel Johnson at Stratford and
Fairfield. Mr. Brown died not long after he had received orders. Mr.
Whetmore also went to England, and after receiving orders settled at
Rye, in the province of New York. " These," says Dr. Trumbull, " were
the first of the clergy who declared for Episcopacy in Connecticut, &
were very much the fathers of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut &
New England."

In a letter addressed by Mr. Pigot to the Society for the Propaga-
tion of the Gospel dated November 6, 1722, he wrote of his missionary
work at Stratford and Fairfield and of the valuable services rendered to
him by Dr. James Laborie.

Another very interesting letter to the Secretary of the Society has

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2., p. 35.

72 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1722

survived the lapse of time. It is so full of interest that Dr. Laborie's own
language seems preferal)le to that of any manipulation from another
pen.

Fairfield, New England, }klarch 5, 1723.
" Rez'.Sir:

Mr. Pigot hath acquainted the honorable society my circumstances thereof, I shall
not be tedious in giving you an account of them. After that I left my own Country, by
reason of the persecution raging there, I went to Zurich, & was ordained by Mr. ClinglcL
Antistes of that Canton, as you may see certified by two enclosed copies. I arrived in
England at the time of King William's coronation, & there obtained a license from the
Lord Bishop of London for teaching grammar & catechising the parish of Stepney. Some-
time afterwards, I was persuaded by my Lord Bellemont to come into America, where he
settled me for the work of the ministry in a town called New Oxford, where Mr. Boudet
had been before, & gave me a commission to instruct the Indians there, the original thereof
I herewith submit to your honorable society. That office I was diligent to perform. &,
by the blessing of God, having obtained the lingua of that nation, had so considerable a
success that I brought some of them to the capacity of teaching others ; but the town
being cut off by the Indian enemies, we were forced to forsake the settlement for the
security of our lives, & since my abode in the Colony of Connecticut & County of Fair-
field, where are many Indians, I have concluded it my duty to continue my labors, though
without any prospect of encouragement or salary, for which I propose to apply myself
to Gov. Saltonstall, whose original letter of approbation attends upon you, & receiving his
encouragement I began, by the enclosed introductory discourse, to prepare both the
English & native inhabitants ; but having declared myself a member of the Church of
England, I was immediately interrupted by the Lieutenant Governor, Nathan Gold, a mortal
enemy to the Church, & violently compelled to surcease my endeavours. IMy commission
extended no further than Boston Colony. Since Mr. Pigot's arrival in the Colony I have
joined with him, & done my endeavors to assist him. He hath the care of four churches
considerably distant from each other, & though no missionary before ever took half the
pains that he takes for the propagation of the Church of England, yet the members of
his church are scattered, & the enemies thereof so busy to hinder those who are already
communicants, & others who are willing to join us, that it is impossible for one man to
entertain them all, & to keep them in the bosom of the Church. Therefore making use of
that licence I received from Bishop Compton, I visit the well disposed people to instruct
them in the principles of the established Church ; & on the Lord's Day, while Mr. Pigot is
at Stratford or some other place. T teach at my own house, which I have destined for the
services of the Church of Englan.d.

I suppose Mr. Pigot will acquaint your honorable body with the persecutions &
threatnings we are exposed to having in this town of Fairfield, the Lieut. Governor
against us, & the pretended minister of the Independency continually declaiming against
the Church, terming her services Popery, the way to hell, & themselves Bishops as regular
as the Bishop of London, with many other extravagant expressions. Therefore if your
honorable society would favor me with a larger favor than I have, I should be very glad
to employ the rest of my days for the propagation of the gospel among the heathen, &
instruction of the remoter members of the Church of England, not doubting but that,
under the blessing of God, the Church of l-'airficld would be in a short time in a flourishing
condition, there being many that desire to be instructed in the principles thereof. We are
here under great disadvantages by reason of the scarcity of Catechisms, Common Prayer

1723] CHURCH AND STATE 73

Books, Psalters & many other which are needed for instruction & comfort. We humbly
beg the honorable society to procure some (for this town particularly) & I shall ever
continue to pray for the prosperity of your glorious body, as at present, he cordially does,
who is with the utmost submission,

Your very humble servant & well-wisher,

James Laborie.*

From these letters something of the bitter spirit indulged in by
Christian bodies, differing in regard to form and church government, is
shown. There is, however, one noticeable point for reflection, viz. : that
however bitter the animosities exhibited at this time, they were mild
when compared with the cruelties practiced in England about one hun-
dred years before.

1723. The Assembly met at Hartford May 9th, when Justice Gold
was re-elected Deputy Governor, Judge Burr an Assistant, and Major
John Burr and Robert Silliman representatives. Judge Peter Burr was
appointed one of the treasury auditors. He was also appointed Chief
Judge of the Superior Court and Judge of the County Court of Fairfield.

It was made a law that all nominations of judges and justices should
be first made by the lower house, and that the upper house should have
power to refuse their nominations, with power to fill up the roll and
return it to the low^er house, to be by them returned to the upper house
for confirmation.

One hundred and twenty acres of land, granted in 1720 to Justice
Nathan Gold, which had been granted to his wife from her father's estate,
the late Colonel John Talcott of Hartford, was now ordered to be laid
out to him in the ungranted lands " lying between Danbury on the north,
& Fairfield & Norwalk on the south, adjoining the west side of Unpewaug
Hill.t

The sum of £5,000 in bills of credit was ordered to be printed by Mr.
Timothy Green of New London.

A law was passed that the treasurer of the colony should make out
his orders to the constables in the towns, that they should pay the school
money due to each committee, or the selectman of each town or parish,
from the colony treasury and take a receipt for the same.

The Assembly met, October loth, at New Haven. For the first time
for many years Deputy Governor Nathan Gold's name disappears from
the head of the Assembly officials; and it was announced that he had

* Hist. Prot. Epis'l Church in America, by Bishops Hawkes and Terry, pp. 82-85.
f Col Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 386.

74 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1723

died on the 3d of October, aged sixty years. His honorable and useful
hfe has been shown in the previous pages of this history. He died a
Christian, a statesman and a soldier. Like his father, he was beloved
and lamented at home and abroad. He was buried in the old Burial Hill
Cemetery of Fairfield, where his tombstone is still to be seen.

Peter Burr was appomted Judge of Probate at Fairfield, and of the
County Court. Major John Burr and Mr. Robert Silliman represented
Fairfield at this time. Major Burr was chosen Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and Captain Moses Dimon Justice of the Peace for Fair-
field County.

A tax of threepence on the ])oun(l was levied on all taxable estates in
the colony to meet the public debts.

The Assembly granted to the heirs of the Hon. Nathan Gold, late
Deputy Governor of this colony, " the whole salary for the year, which
would have been paid him, if it had pleased God to have spared him
longer to us." The treasurer was ordered to pay to " Mr. John Gold,
his eldest son, for himself & the other children of that w^orthy gentleman,
the sum of fifty pounds."*

The taxable estates at Fairfield were valued at £24,492 13.?. 2d.

Major John Burr was made one of a committee to take charge of
the several acts of the Assembly, and to see that they were " exactly
entered on the records."

During the latter part of this year the Rev. Mr. Pigot gave up his
missionary labors at Stratford and Fairfield, and removed to Providence.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Johnson, who was a most wel-
come pastor to the churchmen of both places. He had been ordained by
the Bishop of Norwich, wdio acted in the place of the Bishop of London,
and came back to America vested with the full ecclesiastical dignity of
his sacred office. He settled at Stratford, where to the present day
his family have been among the most prominent churchmen in that
place.

]Uit a short time before leaving Fairfield Mr. Pigot reported to the
Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel that the
Church of England in this region was divided into two parties, " the
high & the low," and that the Congregationalists ''pretend to hold full
communion with the low church party," but regarded the high church
brethren " as rank papists."

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 433.

1724] CHURCH AND STATE 75

1724. "In January of 1724 he wrote: Fairfield is well inclosed, &
will have as large a communion as Newtown; but Dr. Laborie's industry-
there takes off the present necessity of a missionary in that town. This
last gentleman is an excellent preacher; but by reason of his attachment
to our principles is unimproved by the dissenters, as to his practice in
physic, unless upon the greatest emergency."

In a report of the Rev. Dr. Johnson's to the Bishop of London at
this time, he wrote " that his parishioners in Stratford had lately opened
their new church called Christ's Church ; & that the churchmen at Fair-
field were also vigorously going forward in building a church." At the
same time he lamented the want of an Episcopal bishop in America.

From the Stratford Church Records, kept by Mr. Pigot and Mr.
Johnson, we learn that Mr. Dougal McKenzie * was the first warden of
the Church of England at Fairfield. The first vestrymen were James
Laborie, Sen., and Benjamin Sturges. Dougal McKenzie, Esq., was one
of the most prominent gentlemen in Fairfield, and a very devoted
churchman.

Another very interesting letter, written by the Rev. Dr. Samuel
Johnson to the Bishop of London, dated January 10, 1724, is well worthy
of notice. He wrote :

"The interest of the Church gains ground daily in Fairfield, where they are vigor-
ously going forward in building a church, & fix their expectations on a young gentleman
here whom I am preparing for the services of the Church ; but his age will not admit of
his being ordained this time two or three years, but he promiseth well against that time."

Again, in July of the same year, he wrote :

" I have made all proper & modest application to the government, both privately &
publicly; we have yet no abatement of persecution & imprisonment for taxes with sundry
people, & those of both sexes have unreasonably suffered since my last; & I fear that if
we can't have some relief from the honorable society for orders, people will grow quite
discouraged."

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 14th, when Judge Peter
Burr was elected an Assistant, and also Chief Judge of the Fairfield
County Court, and Major John Burr and Mr. Robert Silliman represen-
tatives and auditors of the public treasury. Major John Burr was chosen
Speaker of the Lower House. Judge Peter Burr made one of a com-

* Appendix, Genealogical. Hist. Prot. Epis'l Church in America — Bishops Hawkesand Perry,
p. 124.

76 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1724

mittee to receive and assort the bills of credit in the treasurer's hands,
so that the defaced ones might be destroyed.

It was resolved by the Assembly : " That the oaths provided by an
act of Parliament, instead of the oath of allegiance & supremacy; & the
declaration against trans-substantiation & the abjuration of the pretender,
shall be made & taken by all the members of the Assembly; & by all
persons who are or may be chosen on the annual day of election to the
office of governor, deputy governor, assistants, secretary, & all other
officers in the colony before they shall be admitted to discharge the ser-
vice belonging; to their place^ office or trust."*

At a meeting of the Governor and Council in June Mr. Jonathan
Sturges was nominated sheriff of the County of Fairfield.

The unhappy war existing between Massachusetts and the eastern
tribes of Indians gave continual cause of alarm along the western bor-
ders of the Connecticut settlements, Litchfield, New Milford, Simsbury,
Ridgefield and Danbury, were frequently thrown into great distress by
Indian hunters, whose guns were often heard in the woods; and as they
could not distinguish friends or foe the Assembly resolved that all hunt-
ing should be prohibited both by the English and Indians, and that no
Indian should be seen in the woods either in the counties of Hartford,
New Haven or Fairfield unless in company of an Englishman. Major
John Burr and Major Samuel Eells of Milford, with the military officers
near them, were ordered to employ fourteen or fifteen friendly Indians,
to be accompanied by three or more Englishmen, to scour the woods of
western towns " & endeavor to take the scalps of the scalping Indian
enemy." The scouts were to be commissioned. For each scalp brought
by them into the Assembly a reward of fifty pounds was offered besides
their stated wages, f

Mr. Jonathan Sturges accepted and was appointed sheriff of Fair-
field County and took the oath appointed by the laws, " & he made a
declaration against popery." Mr. John Pickett and John Richards of
New London became his bondsmen in the sum of two thousand pounds,
for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office.:}:

The office of a sheriff in those days was one of importance. " He
was the arm of the law, the embodiment of power, to be honored »!\: feared,
and a terror to evil-doers.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 4C6. f Col. Kec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 480.

J Col. Rec. Conn., 1716-1725, p. 481.

1725] CHURCH AND STATE Tj

At the meeting of the General Assembly in New Haven, October
8th, Judge Peter Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Mr. Ebenezer
Wakeman were present.

It was resolved that one of the military captains in the counties of
Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield should give notice to the Indians
in their towns that they might hunt in the woods, " where they used to
hunt, provided that for a fortnight they were accompanied by some
Englishmen, & carefully wore some white cloth about their heads for
a signal that they are friends; " but " they must not go into the Boston
government."

Captain Joseph Wakeman was made one of the treasury inspectors
of the past and present issue of bills of credit.

The solicitation of Massachusetts for men and arms to help them
carry on a war against the eastern Indians, who had committed many
depredations and killed several Englishmen and their families, was at
this time made a matter of discussion.

Colonel John Stoddard appeared before the Assembly in behalf of
Massachusetts. Judge Peter Burr, with five other gentlemen who had
been appointed a committee to examine into the necessity of such a war,
reported that as Massachusetts had entered into this war without con-
sulting Connecticut, of which they had not fully seen the necessity of
declaring, still they were willing to lend help if occasion proved neces-
sary. At the same time they recommended a further investigation, and
counselled caution on the part of Massachusetts " lest un-necessary blood
be shed."*

1725. At a meeting of the Governor and Council held in Hartford,
June 1 6th, it was announced that the Honorable Peter Burr had died
but a few days before, December 25th, at Fairfield. He was but fifty-six
years of age, and had led a most active and useful life. He was a man
of fine legal ability, and figured in many important trusts for the interest
of Connecticut. He was made one of a committee upon several occa-
sions for settling the vexed boundary line between New York and Con-
necticut, one of the Council of War, and Chief Judge of the Superior
Court when it was found that Justice Nathan Gold's health no longer
allowed him to act in this office. He was yearly appointed one of the
Judges of the Superior Court, and was made Judge of the Probate Court
of Fairfield, which office he held until his death. Thus, in the full vigor

*Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 502.

78 ■ HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1725

of life and great usefulness, died another honored son of Fairfield. His
tombstone is still standing in the old Burial Hill Cemetery.*

Upon still further intelligence from Governor Philip Schuyler of Al-
bany that the eastern Indians were making havoc and spreading dismay
along the frontiers of New York and the New England frontier towns,
the Governor and Council ordered that immediate assistance should be
sent to their relief. Major John Burr was forthwith ordered to send out
his warrants to the chief commissioned ofificers of Fairfield, Stratford
and Milford, to send " five effective, good able-bodied men, to be de-
tached or impressed from each town," and to send the fifteen said men
under the command of a sergeant, whom Major Burr should appoint,
" to march to New Milford & there to assist in guarding, scouting, watch-
ing & warding that town."t

The Assembly met at Hartford May 13th, when Captain Joseph
Wakeman was elected an Assistant, and Major John Burr and Mr. Eben-
ezer Wakeman representatives from Fairfield. Captain Joseph Wake-
man was appointed Judge of the Fairfield County Probate Court. Major
John Burr was commissioned major of the Fairfield County regiment.
Captain Joseph Wakeman was made a commissioner to fix the boundary
line between Connecticut and New York; and at a meeting of the Gov-
ernor and Council on the 20th of March he was chosen one of the Council
of War.

A memorial was presented to the Assembly by Thomas Hill and
others of the northwest part of F"airfield praying for parish privileges,
which was as follows :

To THE Honorable General Assembly, sitting at Hartford the second Thursday of
May. 1725. The humble prayer of the inhabitants of Fairfield North Village humbly
showeth, that there are about fifty families living north of Fairfield, at a considerable
distance from the town, some five or six miles, & the nearest of them about two miles &
a half or more, whose lists amount to £4,000, which inhabitants labor under great diffi-
culties on account of their enjoyment of some of the precious means of grace, especially
the proclaiming of the word of life, in the ordinary way & means God uses in the con-
version & bringing home poor, lost & undone sinners. Not only ourselves are frequently
obliged to be absent from divine worship, but our poor children arc under a kind of neces-
sity of perishing for lack of vision, both which are very troublesome to those who arc
inquiring what they shall do to be saved, & that are hungering & thirsting after Christ &
salvation & righteousness in & through him. The distance of the way, especially in bad
weather, utterly incapacitates many persons, old & young, to go to the house of God,
which makes us willing rather to expend considerable of our earthly treasure in main-
taining the public worship of God among ourselves than to lose our spiritual treasure &
* Hist, of Fairticld, \'ol. I., p. 360. f Col. Rec. Conn. ,'1717-1725, p. 512.

1725] CHURCH AND STATE 79

undo any of our poor, immortal souls, esteeming each of them hetter than a one thousand
worlds."'

Signed by Thomas Hill, John Bartram, David Williams, Benj. Gilbert, Benjamin
Franklin, Thos. Turney, Daniel Adams, Elijah Crane, Ebenezer Hull, & sixty-two others.*

The Assembly granted this petition, provided the inhabitants of the
northwest parish paid all their dues to the old parish of Fairfield as be-
fore, until the Court should take further action in their case. Mr. John
Clop of Norwalk, Captain John Hawly and Mr. Edmund Lewis, both of
Stratford, were appointed a committee to inspect the circumstances of
the northwest parish and make a report to the October session of the
Assembly, t

At a meeting held November 25th, 1725, with John Hyde for mode-
rator, the northwest parish agreed to call the Rev. John Goodsell to be
their minister, and that they would settle upon him an annual salary of
one hundred pounds, in bills of credit, so long as he lived as a mmister
among them; but if through age or inability to attend to his duties, they
agreed " to give him an honorable support or maintenance of one hun-
dred pounds of current bills of credit of the colony a year." To this
agreement John Goodsell signed his name. The names of Benjamin
Banks, John Hyde, George Hull, John Burr, Peter Burr, David Williams
and Joseph Banks were signed in behalf of the parish. On the following
January it was voted : '' That a suitable tax should be levied to pay the
expenses of the parish; & that two sign posts should be set up, one at
the meeting house, and one at Hull's Farms (so called) to warn the
parish meetings on — all warnings to be nailed to the posts five days be-
fore a meeting."

At the same time :

" The Court, taking into consideration the representation of the General Association,
met at Hartford on this instant May, respecting the circumstances of the old or first
parish in Fairfield, by reason of the infirmities that have a long time attended the Rev. Mr.
Joseph Webb, pastor of that church, he being much disabled, & through weakness, &
infirmity not able to carry on the work of the gospel ministry amongst his people, to the
great grief of the good people in that society; Upon consideration of which, this Court
recommends it to said society to agree with some other orthodox minister, as soon as con-
veniently they can, & call him to the help of Mr. Webb in the work of the ministry." t

The town acting upon this liberty, called the Rev. Noah Hobart to

* Greenfield Hill Parish Records. .State Colonial Eclesiastical Rec, Vol. 3.

f Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, pp. 522 and 573.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 547. Hist. Fairfield, Vol. I, p. 420.

80 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1726

act in the capacity of a colleague to Mr. Webb. Mr. Hobart was a
grandson of the Rev. Peter Hobart of Hingham, Mass., and as he was
a young man of superior ability and accomplishments, he proved most
acceptable to the people of the Prime Ancient Society.

Measures were taken to assist in prosecuting the war against the
Indians and to carry out the orders given in May, to which was added
the following: " That if any number of effectual men or particular per-
sons should equip themselves at their own expense & go forth, upon news
of the approach of the enemy, & take any scalps, they should receive the
sum of one hundred pounds out of the public treasury of the colony
for each scalp brought into the Assembly."*

It appears that Captain Samuel Couch, having purchased of the late
Hon. Nathan Gold and Major Peter Burr, acting as agents for the As-
sembly, to sell the county land lying between Danbury and Fairfield,
now petitioned that he should receive a patent for one half of this land,
which he had purchased. The other half had been previously sold. The
Assembly ordered that he should be given a patent of his purchase,
" saving always to the Indian Chicken, what he in his deed to the peti-
tioner had reserved and saved to himself & his heirs." t

Captain Joseph Wakeman and the Fairfield representatives were pres-
ent at the opening of the General Assembly in New Haven, October 14th.

The committee to examine into the condition of the North West par-
ish of Fairfield made a favorable report to the Assembly, which grauted
" that the said parish shall [have] & hath allowed all the privileges
& advantages as are allowed by law to other parishes in this govern-
ment." t

At a meeting of the Council of \\'ar at this time hostilities between
the Indians and the frontier towns having been quieted, the restriction
against Indians hunting in the forests was withdrawn; only, they were
prohibited from painting, and were to wear a white cloth on their heads
" to distinguish them from the enemy."

The loth of November was appointed as an annual thanksgiving day.
The Church of England at Fairfield had been so far completed that on
this happy occasion it was opened for the first time for divine worship,
and was named Trinity Church. This church Mr. Caner afterwards de-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725. p. 535.
f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 540,
J Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 573.

1726] CHURCH AND STATE 8 1

scribes as a wooden structure.'^' The location of this church appears to
have been near the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Osgood's residence on the
Rocks, above Hyde's Pond, and very near Dr. Laborie's stone house,
and the stone powder-house still standing. In the early part of the present
century the tombstones of the church burial ground east of the late Jon-
athan Sturges residence formed a part of the fencing of a lot near which
this first Church of England stood. Within a few years they have been
reverently gathered and placed in the Burial Hill Cemetery at Fairfield.

Mr. Henry Caner, who was a graduate of Yale College, became the
assistant of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson at Stratford and Fairfield, until
he went to England for holy orders. This young man was the son of
Mr. Henry Caner of Stratford, w'ho had the honor of building the first
rector's house of Yale College.

1726. The General Assembly met at Hartford May 12th, when Cap-
tain Joseph Wakeman was elected an Assistant, and Major John Burr
and Mr. Ebenezer Wakeman representatives from Fairfield. Major John
Burr w'as chosen one of the treasury auditors.

Mr. Greshom Bulkley was confirmed captain, Mr. Moses Ward cornet
player and Mr. Thaddeus Burr quartermaster of the Fairfield County
troops. Mr. Thomas Hill was confirmed captain, Mr. Moses Dimon, Jr.,
lieutenant, and Mr. Samuel Wakeman ensign of the train-band of the
North West parish of Fairfield. t

It was enacted that any person " guilty of profane swearing, cursing,
drunkenness or Sabbath breaking," should be judged by the law and
punished.

It w-as represented at this time that the fees of the judges and justices
and jurors of the County Courts were too small. It was, therefore,
enacted " that the judges of the County Courts should receive seven shil-
lings, justices six shillings & the grand jurors three shillings per diem,
the jurors eighteen shillings & a justice of the peace four shillings, for
every action tried before them."

The law for admitting strangers to become inhabitants in the towns
of the colony was made forcible by the following act :

" That if any person or persons shall, contrary to the intent of this law, entertain, or
hire any stranger or transient person, or let any house or land to such stranger, or transient
person, without giving good security to the authorities & select men, he should forfeit the

* Hist. Prot. Epis'l Church by liishops Hawkes and Perry, p. no,
f Col. Rec. Conn., 1 726-1 735, p. 8.
6

82 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1726

sum of twenty shillings per week for every week he shall harbor, entertain or hire any
sr.ch person : — that it shall be in the power of the authorities & select men to refuse bonds
& securities, unless such strangers had first been given permission to remain in any town.
And that no planter or person belonging or living in any of the towns in the colony, should
sell or convey land to strangers, contrary to An Act for directing the admission of town
inhabitants should for every such offence pay a fine of twenty pounds." *

Postmen employed in the public service, or witnesses in civil or crim-
inal causes, were allowed " five pence per mile out for their travelling-
expenses."

Major John Burr was appointed with John Hooker, Esq., to receive
and immediately burn all torn and defaced bills of credit.

The Governor and Council in June appointed Andrew Burr sheriff
of the County of Fairfield.

The 1 8th of May was a glad day among the inhabitants of Fairfield
North West parish, who assembled in their meeting and school-house
to embody themselves in church state; to receive the covenant, as well
as to ordain the Rev. John Goodsell as their minister. The Covenant
of the North West parish was the same as that of Green's Farms.

Under this Covenant were subscribed the following names:

John Goodsell John Burr Peter Burr

John Hide Ebenzer Hull Theophilus Hull

George Hull Cornelius Hull Stephen Burr

Daniel Bradley Obadiah Gilburd

The ordination of the Rev. Mr. Goodsell followed.
Sanuicl Wakeman Esqr. & Moses Dimon Esqr. were made dcacons/f

The Rev. Mr. Goodsell was a native of Stratford. He was born in
1706, graduated at Yale College in 1724 and was but twenty years of age
when he was ordained pastor of the Greenfield church. He married
Mary Lewis of Stratford, who l)ccanie the mother of seven sons and
eight daughters.

The law which had been passed some few years previous, allowing the
constables and selectmen to receive and pay out the public money for
the benefit of schools, proved unwise, as it was found that money was
taken where no schools were legally kept. 1'his law was in consecpicnce
repealed.

It was voted, at a parish meeting held at I'airlicld, October 26th, to
maintain a parish school as on the previous year.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1726-1735, p. 2i. -f Ci-ceiiricld Parish Records.

1726] CHURCH AND STATE 83

As no provision had been made for such societies as had separated
from the first society in any of the towns to form themselves into a so-
ciety, or how to warn the first society meeting after the General As-
sembly had granted parish privileges, the following law was passed in
October:

"That when any society was legally set off in any town, an assistant or justice of the
peace, together with three of the principal inhabitants in any such first society, should,
by a warrant under the hand of such assistant or justice & three inhabitants aforesaid,
warn all the inhabitants in the limits of said society, to meet together at such time and
place as they shall appoint, when 81 where they shall first choose a moderator, & then a
clerk, who shall by some assistant or justice of peace be sworn to a faithful discharge of
his office; which being effected, they may proceed to enact anything lawful & proper for
such a society to do, as in case of other societies." *

At the sitting of the October Assembly in New Haven, Captain John
Wakeman and Mr. John Lockwood represented Fairfield in place of
Major John Burr and Mr. Ebenezer Wakeman.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were represented to be £26,880 10s 6d.

At a meeting of the Governor and Council at Hartford, December
29th, the death of Judge Joseph Wakeman was announced. He died in
the fifty-sixth year of his age, and lies buried in the Burial Hill Cemetery
of Fairfield. t Major John Burr was appointed to act in his place as
Judge of Probate for Fairfield County.

At a parish meeting held in October at Fairfield North West parish
(or Greenfield) it was:

" Voted, That a meeting-house should be built, & be begun the ensuing year ; & that
the dimensions of said meeting-house shall be 52 ft. in length, 42 ft. in breadth & 24 or
25 ft. between joints— that the meeting-house shall be set or stand half way between Mr.
Samuel Whitlock's north-east corner of his home lot, & the meeting-house where we now
meet. Thomas Hill, John Burr, Moses Diamond, & Benjamin Banks, were chosen a com-
mittee to take care of buildmg the meeting-house & to agree with some person or persons
to build the said house."

In the month of September the Rev. Mr. Pigot reported to the Sec-
retary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel the following :

At Fairfield the number daily increases, & they have erected a small Church, which
I opened last fall, & we call it Trinity Church. And Mr. Henry Caner takes a great deal
of pains to very good purpose, & will I doubt not prove a very worthy man, but he has
a slender support from his people. He designs, about two years hence, to wait on the
honorable society for orders & a mission, unless they see cause to forbid it. In the mean
time, as he stands in great need of it, so he & the people would be thankful, if the honorable

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 74. f Hist. Fairfield, Vol. I., p. 417.

84 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1727

society would be pleased to grant him a small encouragement for the pains he takes in
instructing that people & their children in the principles of religion, which he now per-
forms in the quality of a sort of Catechist, omitting everything that is sacerdotal. But
not only he, but sundry other very worthy young gentlemen, dreading the thought of so
tedious a voyage, wait with great impatience in hopes that possibly, Providence may send
us a Bishop, for want of which the Church in these parts is derided & laughed to scorn ;
while our enemies can take the advantage of immediately fixing teachers whenever they
please, in opposition to the Church, & defy us to our faces."

1727. The year of 1727 opened with serious troubles among the good
people of Fairfield. It appears that some of our ancestors, even in the
Congregational and Presbyterian churches, were as bitterly opposed to
the control of church and state in America as their forefathers had been
to the same form of government in England. The taxes laid upon the
towns for the support of the Established Church of the colony proved
most offensive to the people of the Church of England, and some of
the gentlemen at Fairfield resolved to resist a law which they deemed to
be as unjust as it was unreasonable. They, therefore, refused to pay the
tax collector for the support of the Congregational Church of the town,
upon the plea that as they did not attend that church and were not al-
lowed to vote at their parish meetings, " it was taxation without repre-
sentation," in consequence of which they were imprisoned in the jail.

The Rev. Mr. Johnson sent the following account of their condition
to the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.

" Upon their request I came to the prison, & fouijd it full of them, & an insulting
mob about them. I administered what comfort I could to them, but I wish your Lordship,
or some of your sacred character, could have been by to behold the contempt & indignation
which our holy religion suffers among an ungrateful people. I assure your Lordship, the
Church here is in a gaping condition, though, indeed, our people bear it with as much
meekness & patience as could be expected."

The Rev. Mr. Johnson writes: "that it was their own contrivance to fall into this
method."

In April Mr. Henry Caner embarked for England, carrying with him
a letter of introduction from the Rev. Mr. Johnson to the Society. The
following extract from this letter will give some idea of the comfort Dr.
Johnson derived from having this young man associated with him in the
Church. After recommending him as in every way worthy of the con-
fidence of the Society, he thus wrote :

" He has already done a great deal of gixxl service at Fairfield for the time he has
been among them, in the quality of a catechist & school-teacher, &. will be very acceptable

1727] CHURCH AND STATE 85

to them as a missionary as appears by their address enclosed, & will likewise be a great
comfort to me, in my solitary neighborhood, in conspiring with me to forward the interests
of religion in this country, & thereby relieve me of a great part of that burthen that lies
upon me, who, besides Fairfield, have five places which I am obliged to visit & administer
to as often as I conveniently can." *

At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May nth, Fair-
field was represented by Mr. Robert Silliman and Mr. John Osborn.
Major John Burr was appointed Judge of the Fairfield County Court and
also Judge of Probate.

The following memorial of Moses Ward and others was offered by
the churchmen of Fairfield :

" Upon the prayer of Moses Ward of Fairfield, To the Honorable, the Governor,
Assistants & Representatives in General Court assembled this 15, of May 1727, the request
of sundry members of the Church of England in Fairfield humbly showeth that.

Whereas, we are by the honorable society in England, & the Bishop of London, laid
under obligation to pay the support of the said established church, — having accordingly
constantly paid it, — been at a great charge in building a church for the worship of God, we
pray this Assembly would, by some act or otherwise, as your wisdom shall think fit, excuse
us hereafter from paying to any dissenting minister, or to the building of any dissenting
meeting-house. And whereas we were, ten of us, lately imprisoned for our taxes, & had
considerable sums of money taken from us by distraint, contrary to his honor the Gov-
ernor's advice, & notwithstanding solemn promises before given to set down & be con-
cluded thereby in this affair, we pray that those sums of money taken from us be restored
again. If these grievances may be redressed, we shall aim at nothing but to live peaceably
as becometh Christians among our dissenting brethren; & your petitioners, as in duty
bound, shall ever pray, &c.

Moses Ward ) Church
Samuel Lyon j Wardens.
DouGAL McKenzie 1
John Lock wood
Nathan Adams ( Vestry.
Benj. Sturges, &c. J
In the name & behalf of all the rest of the brethren." f

In response to this petition the General Assembly enacted the fol-
lowing law:

" That all persons who are of the Church of England, & those who are of the churches
established by the laws of this government, that live in the bounds of any parish allowed
by this Assembly, shall be taxed by the parishioners of said parish by the same rule & in
the same proportion, for the support of the ministry in such parish : but if it so happen
that there be a society of the Church of England, where there is a person in orders accord-
ing to the canons of the Church of England settled, & abiding among them, & performing
divine service, so near to any person that hath declared himself of the Church of England

* Hist. Prot. Episcopal Church in America, by Bishops Hawkes and Perry, p. 115.
f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1725-1735, p. 106.

86 HISTORV OF FAIRFIELD ['727

that he can conveniently & dolh attend the public worship there, then the collectors,
having first indifferently levied the tax above said, shall deliver the taxes collected of such
persons declaring themselves & attending as aforesaid, unto the minister of the church
of England living near unto such person; vv^hich minister shall have full power to receive
& recover the same, in order to his support in the place assigned to him. But if such pro-
portion of taxes be not sufficient in any society of the Church of England, to support the
incumbent there, then such society may levy & collect of them who profess & attend as
aforesaid, greater taxes at their own discretion for the support of their minister. And the
parishioners of the Church of England, attending as aforesaid, are hereby excused from
paying any taxes for building meeting-houses for the present established churches of this
government." *

This Step on the part of our ancestors may be regarded as the first
effectual effort taken towards establishing the rights of religious freedom
in America. Others in the colony had advocated it, but without success.
The struggle was one, however, of years in fully accomplishing, but like
almost everything else based upon justice, freedom and righteousness,
it prevailed; and we Christians of the present day, in a great measure,
enjoy the peace and good-will in our communities which our sturdy fore-
fathers persevered in and accomplished for us.

At the same session of the General Assembly the Fairfield North West
parish was given the name of Greenfield, according to the custom of those
days in naming a parish set oft' from other parishes. The first part of
the name having been taken from Green's Farms and the latter part from
Fair/zrM, making Green-field. t

It appears at this time that certain persons in the colony distilled
liquor from molasses, and as it was judged to be very unwholesome a
fine of three shillings a gallon was imposed upon such offenders.

The session of the Assembly met at New Haven, October 12th, when
Major John Burr and Mr. Andrew Burr were present.

During the sitting of this Court a most interesting scene took place
on the College Green at New Haven. King George the Second had
succeeded his father on the throne of England, and throughout the Eng-
lish colonies in America he was proclaimed our Sovereign Lord, King
George the Second, of Great Britain, etc., with great demonstrations of
joy. The Colonial Records give the following account of the proceed-
ings at New Haven :

"According to the orders of this Assembly the regiment of the County being drawn
up on the great square before the court-house the Governor & Council &; Representatives,

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 107, and Colonial Ecclesiastical Records,
f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 143.

1727] CHURCH AND STATE 87

the Reverend Trustees of Yale College, & many of the clergy, with many of the principal
planters, & a great concourse of people at the head of the regiment, a proclamation was
read to an herald appointed, who proclaimed our Sovereign Lord, King George the Sec-
ond, according to said proclamation, in the most solemn manner, & was concluded with
great demonstrations of joy. Afterwards several of the members of the Assembly, the
said reverend trustees, with many of the clergy, & the officers of the said regiment, of all
orders, before his Honor — the Governor — & Council, readily & cheerfully took the oaths
provided by act of Parliament & appointed to be taken instead of the oaths of allegiance
& supremacy, & the oath of abjuration, & also they made the solemn declaration against
popery, according to the form & effect of the said Act of Parliament."

" A treat of thirty pounds was ordered to be made for the refreshment of the soldiers ;
a quarter of a pound of powder to be allowed each sentinel ; & a sufficient quantity of
powder for discharging three of the great guns on that day."

"It was also ordered that ten pounds of candles should be provided to illuminate the
New Haven Court House, & a barrel of good wine be provided for the refreshment of the
Assembly." *

Thomas Nash was confirmed captain, Mr. Isaac Sherwood Heutenant
and Mr. Nathan Morehouse ensign of the Green's Farms train-band.

It appears at this time that the towns in the colony were disturbed
with many " evil disposed & dissohite persons, which led the Assembly
to resolve :

" That land should be sequestered & a house, or houses of correction erected at Hart-
ford, New Haven & New London, for keeping, correcting & setting to work all rogues,
vagabonds, common beggars & other lewd, idle, dissolute & disorderly persons, — that the
authorities of each town should watch for & arrest persons using any subtle craft, juggling,
or unlawful games or plays, or feigning themselves to have knowledge of physiognomy,
palmistry, or pretend they can tell destinies, fortunes, or discover where lost or stolen
goods may be found, common pipers, fiddlers, runaways, stubborn servants or children,
common drunkards, common night-walkers & pilferers. A suitable master was ordered to
be appointed to set all persons sent to his custody to work & labor [if they be able], &
to punish them by putting fetters or shackles upon them, by moderate whipping, not to
exceed ten stripes at once, (unless by commitment otherwise directed) at their first coming
in, & from time to time, if they be stubborn or idle." If this punishment did not bring
them to perform their tasks, " they are to be reasonably stinted in food, until they be
reduced to better order." Those belonging to any town were ordered to be supported by
their families, or the towns from which they were sent ; but if not an inhabitant of any
town, they were to be supported out of the public treasury. If industrious they were to be
allowed out of their earnings two-thirds for their support, unless heads of families, when
their earnings, or as much as the county-court thought necessary, should go to the support
of their families." f

On the night of the 29th of October a heavy earthquake is repre-
sented to have shaken the whole American Continent. Dr. Trumbull
states :

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 132. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 127.

88 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [17=8

" That although the preaching of the gospel was not without success at this time, &
though there was tolerable peace & order in the churches, yet there was too generally a
great decay, as to the life & power of godliness; yet abundant were the lamentations
before God on the part of the ministers & people of the Colony, with many days of fasting
& prayer kept in the churches, to seek the special influences of the Holy Spirit in the
awakening & sanctification of the people.

The terror occasioned by this earthquake produced a temporary conviction of sin in
the hearts of many, who had previously neglected the worship of God; but in a majority
of cases, it appears to have been more the result of fear, than of genuine repentance. In
several places the ministers took advantage of the occasion to preach to their people of
that true repentance which springs from a desire to become Christians out of love to God;
& the danger of repentance from fear or expediency. But all this was of little avail. The
hearts of great numbers became still more hardened in sin. The country was visited with
sore sicknesses ; epidemics prevailed & great mortality followed. It appeared to them
as if the face of God was turned away from them, & that He was laying upon them the
punishment of their ungodliness."

Sadly had the third generation departed from that zeal in promoting
a strictly conscientious walk before God which had characterized the
first generation in the colony. Vices of divers kinds had crept in, and
although historians tell us such a thing as a profane oath w^as never
heard, or a man drunk never seen in the early settlements of the colonies,
these evils now became the crying sins of the third generation. But as
God was ever merciful to our forefathers, in His own good time He
sought them out and manifested to them the mercies of His pardoning
love.

1728. At a meeting of the Governor and Council in February it wa.s
reported that Mr. John Denny of Fairfield and others in the counties of
Fairfield and New Haven had been engaged in selling and vending their
goods by lottery without license, whereby many innocent persons lost
their money. This matter was taken into consideration in January, and
a law passed prohibiting any further lotteries, under a heavy penalty.
Timothy Green was ordered to print sixty copies of this act, which were
to be posted in the county towns of Fairfield, New Haven, Hartford and
New London.

It appears that the law passed in May of 1727, releasing the members
of the Church of England from being taxed for the support of the Estab-
lished Church of the colony affected those only who lived near the min-
ister of the Ciiurch of England, while those who lived a mile or more
from him were taxed in the same way as they had been before this law
was enacted.

* Irumhiiirs Hist.. Conn., \ol. 2, pp. 134-137.

1728] CHURCH AND STATE 89

The Rev. Henry Caner, who had returned in safety from his voyage
to England, and been settled as rector of the Church of England at Fair-
tield, reported soon after his return to the Lord Bishop of London :

" That although the Dissenters had lately passed an act to exempt all professors of
the Church from paying taxes to the support of their minister, yet they take the liberty
to determine themselves who may be called Churchmen, & interpret that act to compre-
hend none that live a mile from the Church minister ; by which means, not only two thirds
of the Church, but of its revenues likewise we are entirely deprived of the benefit of; &
the favor they would seem to do us, prove, in reality, but a shadow."

At the same time Air. Caner wrote to the Secretary the following
letter:

" Fairfield, March 15, 1728.
Rev. Sir:

The heavy taxes levied for the support of dissenting ministers, joined with a small
& voluntary offering to the Church renders them almost incapable of carrying on the
Church, which is not yet finished, nor in any way likely to be so at present. The truth is
the people are heartily ready & willing to do their utmost to be as little burdensome to the
honorable society as possible ; but being generally poor, & Fairfield being the chief seat
of the Dissenter's opposition, they are able to contribute but little to the support of that
worship, which their consciences urge them to maintain.

Besides Fairfield, which I constantly serve, & the villages contiguous, which belong
to that town, as Pequonnock, Green's Farms, & Greenfield, I have several times preached
this winter at Norwalk, a town twelve miles distant from Fairfield, & at Stamford, which
is twenty miles distant, & at Greenwich, about twenty-seven miles distant from Fairfield,
& which is the utmost town within the borders of this government westward. Besides
these, there is a village, northward of Fairfield, about eighteen miles, containing twentj^
families, where there is no minister at all of any denomination whatever; the name of it is
Chestnut Ridge, & where I usually preach or lecture once in three weeks. Newtown
which is about twenty-two miles northwest of Fairfield ; Ridgefield & Danbury, the one
seventeen & the other twenty-three miles distant from Fairfield. In most of the above
places there are seven, ten or fifteen professing the Church of England, from which places,
joined with Fairfield, the taxes strained from members of the Church for the support of
dissenting teachers amount to iioo, which is about £40, sterling, of which Fairfield pays
about half. The taking away of these sums very much hinders the building they are
carrying on, as well as of contributions to the support of a minister, for which latter use,
they are not able to raise above iio sterling per annum.

Notwithstanding this discouragement the Church grows & increases very much, four
families being added since my coming, one whom was a Jew,* whose wife only was before
a christian. This person, besides his excellent skill in Hebrew & Greek, & other Eastern
languages, is well studied in Rabbinical learning, & is a very accomplished person upon all
accounts ; neither is his conversation balanced with any views of interest or friendship, as
I can learn, but upon very good & serious principles, he embraces the Christian faith, being
baptised with his family very lately.

Besides these, since September last, I have baptised one adult & seventeen infants, one
* This Jew was Andrus Truby, the ancestor of the Truby family of Fairfield.

90 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1728

whereof was an ingenious Indian, & have eight new communicants, the whole number of
which is now forty-nine. I have further prospects Hkewise of baptising two other Indians
in a short time, of about thirty years of age, who are very seriously disposed, & attend
divine worship with some constancy.

Henry Caner." *

He also mentions " another Jew, a very sober, sensible young gentle-
man whom I have been instrumental in bringing over to the Christian
faith." This Jew's name was Mr. Mordecai Marks.

In the month of April the Rev. Dr. Johnson of Stratford wrote to the
Secretary : " That those who live a mile or more from the Church of
England are still persecuted by those who call themselves the Established
Church, & treat us as dissenters."

To prevent a practice which had crept into the towns in the colony
of warning their training, town meeting, society and proprietor days, on
the Sabbath day, the Assembly passed the following act : " That for the
future, all such warnings & notifications, on the Lord's Day, except pub-
lications of intents or purposes of marriage, shall be deemed illegal, &
of none effect."

And it was further enacted :

" That it shall be lawful for any person, & the duty of the grand-jurymen, constables
& thything-men in the several towns & societies in this government, to pull down &
destroy every written or printed notification or proclamation about secular affairs, that
shall or may be fixed upon the door, or any other part of the meeting-house, or house of
God, in any of the towns or societies within this Colony on the Sabbath or Lord's day, or
on fast or thanksgiving days, & not suffer such notifications or warnings to stand or abide
thereon upon the Lord's day.

And every person who shall presume to set up or fix any such written notification, as
above said, on the Lord's day, in order to be seen & read on the Lord's day by the people,
contrary to this act, being convicted thereof before any one assistant or justice of the
peace, shall pay a fine of ten shillings for every such offence to the town treasury of said
town, for the use of the poor in said town."t

1728. Mr. Robert Silliman and Mr. Samuel Burr represented Fair-
field at the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford on the 9th of
May. Major John Burr was appointed Judge of the County Court and
of the Probate Court and Justice of the Peace of Fairfield. Mr. Samuel
Burr was made one of the treasury auditors.

A Court of Probate was ordered to be held at Stamford for that

* Hisliops liawkesand Perry's, Hist. Trot. Episcopal Church, p. 128.
f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 186.

t723] CHURCH AND STATE 9I

town and for Greenwich and Ridgefield, but all appeals from that court
were to be made to the Superior Court at Fairfield.

As no law existed for the punishment of private lotteries, " which
were growing at a prodigious rate," the proclamation which had been
made in January and sent particularly to the towns of Fairfield and Nor-
walk, notwithstanding which John Denny of Fairfield and one Samuel
Cluckstone of Norwalk, having held the proclamation and the authorities
in contempt, and wilfully continued the sale of lottery tickets, the As-
sembly saw fit to order them both to appear before them. The sheriff
of the country was ordered forthwith to bring the said Denny and Cluck-
stone to answer " for contempt of authority." Accordingly the offenders
were in a few days brought before the Assembly, when, upon making due
confession of their guilt, and explanation of not having received the
printed proclamation until their lottery tickets had been sold, and that
since then they had not had any lotteries, but fully observed the law, the
Assembly accepted their submission, and upon paying the charges of
the prosecution they were dismissed. A law was enacted that all such
oft'enders should be arrested and " their goods, monies by wagers on
shooting, or anything whatsoever be forfeited, one half of which should
be given to the prosecutor & the other half to the county treasurer.*

Mr. John Silliman was confirmed captain of the train-band of Fair-
field.

The ecclesiastical affairs of Fairfield appear to have been the chief
and most enthusiastic matters of interest at this period.

In October the Rev. Mr. Caner reported to the Secretary of the So-
ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel :

" That the Indians in numbers were very small about Fairfield, by reason of the
vicious lives they led, with their excessive drinking, which destroys them apace; & of
those few that remain, to the eternal shame of the English in these parts, it must be said,
that, although I constantly labor with them, as I find them in my way, yet very seldom
conceive hopes of doing them any good, who have taken up an inveterate prejudice
against Christianity, grounded on the shamefully wicked lives of us its professors."

In order to evade the law which prevented his parishioners who re-
sided at a distance from paying towards the support of the Congrega-
tional Church, he proposed to the Society that instead of being appointed
a missionary at Fairfield only he should be sent an instrument, under
their common seal, appointing him their missionary, to serve from Fair-

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 161.

92 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1728

field to Byram river, on the borders of the government westward," by
which means he would be under obligations to reside sometimes at one
of these places and sometimes at another, as the necessity of either might
require. In this way he hoped to administer to all who professed the
faith of the Church of England, as well as to gain the revenues of the
more remote church people.

This step was not, however, thought advisable by the members of
the Society, and it was decided that Mr. Caner's plan was not wise, as it
could not escape the law.

Three societies had, from time to time, been granted parish privileges
and been severed from the old Prime Society. With Pequonnock there
had been a serious quarrel indeed. Green's Farms and Greenfield had
also bravely maintained their rights to maintain a church and school of
their own. Whether experience, the remoteness of Lone-town, the un-
fortunate condition of its inhabitants in religious privileges or an effort
on the part of the Church of England to form a parish in that region
induced the good people of Fairfield to part with them with a better
grace than they had exhibited towards the other parishes is a matter
of some interest. Upon the pages of the town records is to be found the
following note :

Dec. 30, 1728. Upon the request of Mr. John Read of Lone-town in ye behalf of
Lone-town, Chestnut Ridge & the peculiar, between Fairfield & Danbury, requesting yt.
there should be two miles of ye rear end of ye Long Lots of said Fairfield added unto
said peculiar in order to make a parish, was voted in the affirmative.

The General Court met at New Haven October loth, when Major
John Burr and Mr. Samuel Burr represented Fairfield.

An act for enlarging the County of Fairfield was passed by a vote:
" That all that tract of land called New Fairfield, lying north of Dan-
bury, west of New Milford & east of the government line, shall be an-
next to the County of Fairfield."*

A law was passed that for every wolf killed in any of the towns in the
colony a reward of ten shillings should be paid to any person thus en-
gaged, as well as ten shillings out of the town treasury where the wolf
was taken.

An act was passed that no person should vote in any society meeting
" for the choice of a minister or officers, grants, rates, erecting meeting

* CoJ. Rer. ("onn., Vol. 1725-1735, p. 214.

1729] CHURCH AND STATE 93

houses, regulating schools, or any other thing proper to be voted for in
a society, unless a freeholder rated at fifty or forty pounds in the com-
mon list, or that are persons in full communion with the church"; on
penalty of forfeiting ten shillings for every such offence.

1729. At the meeting of the General Assembly, May 8th, at Hart-
ford, Major John Burr and Mr. Samuel Burr represented Fairfield. John
Burr, Esq., was chosen an assistant of the General Assembly and also
Judge of the Fairfield County Court.

Mr. Samuel Burr was commissioned lieutenant and Mr. Samuel Squire
ensign of the first train-band of Fairfield. Mr. Daniel Hubbell was com-
missioned lieutenant of the train-band of Stratfield.

Upon the memorial of John Read in behalf of himself, & the rest of the inhabitants
of Lone Town, Chestnut Ridge, & the Peculiar between Fairfield & Danbury, shewing to
this Assembly the great difficulty they labor under in attending on the public worship
of God, & the forwardness of the town of Fairfield to encourage them to set up the public
worship of God among themselves, by conceding that two miles of the rear end of their
long-lots be added to them, in order to make them a parish; & praying this assembly that
they may be allowed to be a society for the worship of God, with the privileges granted to
such societies or parishes, & that said society or parish may comprize those lands that lie
encircled betwixed the townships of Fairfield, Danbury, Newtown & Ridgefield, together
with the aforesaid two miles of Fairfield long lots ; & that they may have remitted to
them their county rate during the pleasure of this Assembly ; & that all the lands aforesaid
may be taxed by the order of said Assembly; & that said parish be annexed to Fairfield;
& that it be named Reading;

This Assembly grants that the said Lone Town, Chestnut Ridge, & the Peculiar
thereof, be a society or parish by themselves, & to have all the privileges usually granted
to societies or parishes, & that said society or parish shall comprize all those lands, that be
encircled betwixt the townships of Fairfield, Danbury, Newtown & Ridgefield, together
with the two miles of the rear end of the Fairfield long lots. Furthermore, this Assembly
doth remit to them their county rates for four years, excluding those only who decline to
joyn with them for what is paid for, of being released of county tax ; & that all the laid out
unimproved lands, within the limits of said parish, be taxed six shillings a hundred acres
per year for four years ; & that the money raised thereby be improved for the defraying
the ministerial charges among them in that place ; & that said parish be named Reading*

The meeting-house was not completed until 1732. It was built in
the centre of the public square, a few yards west of the present Methodist
church.

The Rev. William Nathaniel Hunn was elected minister of the parish
January 31, 1733. Two years afterwards Mr. Hunn was married to
Miss Ruth Read by the Rev. Noah Hobart of Fairfield. Miss Read

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1725-1735, p. 231.

94 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1729

was the daughter of the Hon. John Read, who settled at Lonetown in
1714, and a sister of Colonel John Read of the Read Manor at Reading.*
At the same time that Reading was made a parish, A Memorial, dated
May 26, 1729, of Isaac Brown and the rest of the wardens and vestry-
men of the Church of England was presented to the Assembly:

— " praying for redress from ta.xes & persecution ;" & requesting " liberty to manage their
own affairs as a society, according to the canons & rubrics of the Church of England;" &
expressing their adherence to that Church, " let the difficulties be never so great." This
petition was signed by,

Isaac Brown ) Vestrymen of
Benjamin Burtt \ Stratford.
Samuel Lyon ) Church wardens
Moses Ward [ of Fairfield.
Moses Knap "]

Henry James I Vestrymen of
Nathan Adams [ Fairfield.
John Lockwood J

The petition was rejected, and feelings of bitter resentment engen-
dered, which in after years proved most unfortunate.

It appears that the members of the Church of England in New York
took a lively interest in the condition of the churchmen of Fairfield, in
consequence of which John Rodman, Samuel Bonne and Edward Burling
addressed a letter to the General Assembly of Connecticut, desiring them
not to imprison their brethren. They wished them to consider " that
they were a distinct society of christian protestants, as well as they were,
& have through the mercy of God free toleration for the exercise of
their religion, and that they took care to build a meeting-house of their
own, and other concerns of their religion, without being burdensome to
others — therefore they think it not unreasonable for them to force any
of their friends, seeing that we are all dissenters from the maternal
church. They recommend that all who go out of their churches to join
the Church of England be provided with certificates." t

The age of religious toleration was, however, slowly advancing. The
glorious dawn of liberty had not yet shed its genial rays of light and
blessing upon our beloved country; but, step by step, year by year it

* Fairfield Parish Records. Charles Burr Todd in his History of Redding, has corrected the
mistake of Mr. liarlow and Mr. Law in supposing that the original John Meat/ lived and died in
Reading. He removed to Boston in 1722, and his son John succeeded to his title and to the Manor
at Lonetown."

] Connecticut Ecclesiastical .Society Records, Vol. B.

1729] CHURCH AND STATE 95

was gaining ground, and the long looked and hoped for day was not
now far distant when the vast Republic of the United States should offer
a home, not only to her own people, but to those who sought her pro-
tection from all the king'doms of the world.

The Assistants of the General Assembly were voted 4c? per mile " for
their travel to & fro from the Assembly, & 9^. 6d per diem exclusive of
the Sabbath day." The representatives were allowed " ys. per diem &
3J. per mile for travel."*

On the 29th of May, " At a church-meeting in ye old Parish of Fair-
field," Mr. Lothrop Lewis was chosen a Deacon of the Congregational
Church by a major vote of the Brethren.

Meanwhile the Prime Ancient Society continued to flourish under
the ministry of the talented Rev. Mr. Hobart.

" At ye same meeting it was voted that the worshipful Mr. John Gold
should set & read the Psalm, & in case he be absent or indisposed that
his brother Mr. Samuel Gold should do it."

The Assembly met at New Haven, October 9th, when an important
change was made for the benefit of freemen in the several towns. Pre-
viously the names of freemen entitled to vote were enrolled in the secre-
tary's office of the colony. As the towns increased in numbers and in
population it became difficult to always make quick returns, specially
from the remote towns. It was, therefore, enacted that the town clerks
in each town should make a list of the freemen, which list " should be
made in the open freemen's-meeting, legally assembled, by the direc-
tion of the authority & selectmen of the town." It was further enacted :
" that none should be made freemen but in a regularly assembled meet-
ing, when they should be lawfully admitted & sworn freemen, & their
names enrolled by the town clerk." f

An amusing anecdote is related by one of the oldest inhabitants of
Fairfield, that upon one occasion when it was suspected that a fair vote
had not been rendered a town meeting was summoned, and the oppos-
ing voting parties were arranged opposite each other out upon the
Military Green and duly counted.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, 246. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1725-1735, p. 259.

CHAPTER X
1730— 1740

GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD

State military officers. — Law for slaves. — Settlement of boundary between New York and Connec-
ticut.— Value of Fairfield estates. — Maintenance and growth of the Church of England. — Law
for erecting meeting-houses. — Vice to be suppressed. — Stratfield military officers. — Canaan
meeting-house. — Town taxes. — Death of Dr. Laborie. — Parsonage lands. — Reading petitions
England for a clergyman. — Rev. John Beach. — Towns not to entertain strangers. — Death of
Rev. Joseph Webb. — Rev. Noah Hobart's ordination. — Election ball. — Church customs. —
Queen Anne's munificent grant to the Church of England in America. — Dean Berkeley's
visit to America. — His gift of books and scholarship to Yale College. — Diversion of Queen
Anne's gift. — Dean Berkeley's mortification and return. — Berkeley Divinity School at Middle-
town. — Western Lands. — School laws. — Greenfield and Fairfield military officers. — Preserva-
tion of Forests. — New bills of credit. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Encouragement of silk and
linen weaving. — Manner of calling church gatherings. — Epidemic in the colony. — Decline of
religious interest in families. — Sale of parsonage lands. — Church of England not allowed to
share in the sale of these lands. — Law for gathering church ta.xes. — Capt. Samuel Couch's
patent of Indian land. — New Fairfield to be settled. — Severe laws against theft and burglaries.
Restrictions on tavern keepers. — Military laws. — Magistrates of 1736. — Mutilated bills of
credit. — Evangelizing the Indians. — New Fairfield. — Magistrates of 1737. — Superior Court. —
New Fairfield. — Wilton meeting house. — Green's Farm's meeting house. — Western lands. —
Greenfield militia officers. — Magistrates of 173S. — Report of Colony laws and bills of credit. —
Reading. — Town privileges of New Fairfield. — Fairfield military ofificers. — Magistrates of
1739. — Reading bounds. — Military and naval regulations.

1730. Tire events of interest in the history of a flourishing town Hke
Fairfield increase in proportion with its growth. The ecclesiastical
struggle within the past decade had opened a wider field for religious
thought. Religious controversy in those days arrayed neighbor against
neighbor, but as time passed charity and good will followed, and each
member of the community discovered that his neighbor was entitled to
his own individual opinion and convictions. These were steps which
led up to the formation of the grandest republic in the world. The
Boston tea party had its day, but long before that tiie members of the
Church of England at Fairfield had demonstrated " that taxation without
representation " was as intolerant as an established church under a de-
signed republican form of government.

The General Court met at Hartford, May nth. Major John Burr

I730] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD 97

was elected an Assistant, and Messrs. Samuel and Thaddcus Buir rejire-
sentatives from Fairfield. Major John Burr was made Judge of the
County Courts.

An act was passed that if any Negro, Indian or Mulatto slave should
speak in a defamatory way of his master, and being convicted before a
Justice of the Peace, should be whipped at the discretion of the Justice
before whom the trial took place, not exceeding forty stripes.

The General Assembly met at New Haven, October 8th, when Judge
John Burr, Mr. Ebenezer Silliman and Mr. Samuel Burr were present.

The vexed and long unsettled boundary line between Connecticut
and the Province of New York, in which many of the leading men of
Fairfield, from time to time, had taken an official and active part, was
happily settled and confirmed by the Assembly.*

Mr. Samuel Barlow was commissioned to be lieutenant and Mr.
Samuel Rowland ensign of the second Fairfield train-band.

The Fairfield estates were estimated to be worth or valued at

£30,552 I2S.

A question was raised, " whether any such persons as profess them-
selves of the Congregational or Presbyterian persuasion (so called), since
they are allowed and under the protection of our laws, ought to qualify
themselves, as mentioned in the Act for the ease of such as soberly
dissent from the way of worship and ministry established by the laws
of this government? Resolved in the negative."

There is no doubt but that great advantage was taken of the law
passed for the benefit of those who differed from the faith of the estab-
lished church of the colony; and that many sought refuge under this law
in order to escape ecclesiastical taxes. The sin of receiving and giving
that which costs us nothing was then as now, too often the refuge of dis-
honest people. There was also some disquietude on account of the pro-
gress the Church of England and other religious bodies were making in
the colony.

On the 30th of September, 1730, the Rev. Mr. Caner reported to the
Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel that the
churchmen of Fairfield were only able to raise fifteen pounds towards
his salary, but that they had devised a plan to raise a church fund through
bequests. It was proposed : " that every professor of the Church of Eng-
land should, by his will, devote a certain sum to the support of this par-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1725-1735, p. 294.
7

98 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD fi73i

ticular Church, to be used by the Church Wardens for purposes desig-
nated by the Church."

At the same time Mr. Caner reported to the Honorable Society that
since this design had been set on foot two members of his church had
died, each leaving £100 to the church fund; and that two others had
willed legacies, one £100 and the other £50, to the same end. He reported
f he number of communicants in the parishes under his charge to be sixty-
five, and that there were about five hundred professors of the Church of
l.'.ngland in all the parishes.

1 73 1. The General Assembly met at Hartford on the 13th of May,
when Judge John Burr was elected an Assistant, and Mr. Samuel Burr
and Mr. Robert Silliman representatives from Fairfield. Major John
Burr was also appointed Judge of the Fairfield County Court and one
of the colony auditors.

Mr. John Crane was commissioned lieutenant of the Green's Farms
train-band.

Many quarrels having arisen in parishes " respecting the places proper
for erecting meeting-houses," the Assembly saw fit to pass an act, that
when any parish wished to build a meeting-house they should not only
apply to the Assembly for permission to do so, but to fix the place upon
which it should be erected; " those only tolerated by the laws of this
colony & dissenting from us excepted." The clerk of each society was
ordered to make a report to the Assembly of the progress made in its
erection. Any transgression of this order was subject to a fine of one
hundred pounds, to be paid into the public treasury. If any parish, hav-
ing obtained consent to build a church, without in due time finishing it,
" the Assembly was to assess & levy sufficient money to further its
erection."*

The Rev. Cotton Mather states that there was scarcely a meeting-
house or school-house in all New England about the location of which
there had not been a quarrel.

The first Monday in January and June were fixed as days for the
Justices of the Peace, grand jurors, constables and tithing-mcn to hold
town meetings, " to advise & consider how they should best suppress
vice & immorality & the due execution of the laws of the colony."

.Ml attorneys were exempted from bearing arms and attending on
the musters and military exercises in the colony.

* Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. 7, p. 334.

1732] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD 99

The Assembly met in New Haven, October 14th, when Mr. Daniel
Hubbell of Fairfield was commissioned captain, Mr. John Burr lieutenant
and Mr. Ephraim Hubbell ensign of the train-band of the parish of
Stratfield.

Mr. Andrew Burr was commissioned lieutenant of the Fairfield second
train-band.

Captain Gershom Bulkley was made one of a committee to fix a place
for erecting a meeting-house in the parish of Canaan, in Fairfield County.

A law was enacted that the listers of every town should be sworn to
a faithful discharge of their duty, and return a certificate to the Assembly
signed by the Assistant, Justice of the Peace, or Town Clerk. Any town
neglecting to make a faithful return of its taxable list, " such town should
be doomed by the Assembly."

During this year Fairfield sustained a great loss in the death of Dr.
James Laborie. He was an accomplished French gentleman, who won
the respect and confidence of all who became acquainted with him. He
was a skilful physician, a brave soldier, and a sincere Christian. He de-
voted a large part of his time in instructing the Indians in the Christian
religion and in actively furthering the interests of the Church of Eng-
land in Fairfield and throughout the colony. In granting a petition to
his son in 1731, the General Assembly mentioned him "as a gentleman
of great skill & practice." He was probably buried at Stratford, as no
tombstone to his memory is found at Fairfield.*

1732. A serious question now arose among the townsmen of Fair-
field in regard to the parsonage lands, which in previous years had
been granted for the use of the Prime Ancient Society. The Congrega-
tional societies of Green's Farms, Pequonnock and Greenfield claimed
each a share in these lands. This was something to be considered aside
from building meeting-houses, and trouble seemed to be at hand. At
a town meeting held May 7, 1732, John Burr, Samuel Burr, Samuel
Couch and Samuel Wakeman were appointed " a committee to inquire
what parsonage land there was in Fairfield, what circumstances it was
under, & make a report thereof to the next town-meeting."

About this time the inhabitants of Reading and Newtown petitioned
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts for a
clergyman of the Church of England to be settled among them. The

* The author of this work some years since presented two handsome brass vases to St. Paul's
Church, Fairfield, in memory of Dr. James Laborie.

lOO HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i732

services of Mr. John Beach of Stratford, who was at that time on his w^ay
to England for holy orders, were requested for Reading and the sur-
rounding towns.

It appears that Mr. Beach had been settled over the Congregational
Church at Newtown eight years before, but had been led to change his
religious views through the influence of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson,
who had been his tutor at Yale College. He took with him letters to
the Bishop of London of the highest recommendations. The petition
from Reading and Newtown was signed by Lemuel Morehouse and
others of the Church of England in those places. During his absence
some malicious persons had stirred up a tribe of Indians living about
three miles from Newtown to believe that upon his return he would rob
them of their lands, and oblige them to support him. Upon his arrival
home, however, he was soon able to quell the mischief done by his manly
course and kindness to them. For want of a church to hold services in,
he opened his own house, and " pressed on with a resolute and cheerful
spirit, conciliating many of the Indians, & gathering around him a large
congregation of his own countrymen."

Some months after his arrival he reported to the Society : " I have
now forty-four communicants, & their number increases every time I
administer the Communion. The people here have a high esteem for the
Church, & are now greatly rejoiced that they have an opportunity of
worshipping God in that way, & have begun to build two small churches,
the one at Newtown & the other at Reading."*

Altogether, the Church of England at this time seemed to be in a
prosperous condition. The little church at Fairfield proved no longer
of suf^cient size to seat the congregation, and measures were taken to
enlarge its capacity by building galleries which would accommodate about
two hundred people.

At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May nth,
Major John Burr was elected an Assistant, and Mr. Andrew Burr and
Mr. Ebenezer Silliman representatives from Fairfield. Major John Burr
was appointed Judge of the Fairfield County Court.

Notwithstanding all the provisions made against entertaining
strangers in the towns, it was discovered that many such were employed,
and sometimes cared for at the expense of the colony. To prevent this,
a law was passed, save in cases of sickness or accident, that no person

* bishops I'crry and Ilawkcs' Hist. Trot. Kpis. Church, p. 150.

1733] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD lOI

after the loth of July should entertain any stranger over forty-eight
hours, and then at his own expense. Thomas Nash, Moses Dimon and
Thomas Hill presented the case of one William Williams, who had had
one of his legs amputated at Fairfield. The Assembly humanely granted
£ioo ys. gd. out of the colony treasury to be used by the selectmen of
the town for the maintenance of the afflicted man, " in which case mercy
was coupled with justice."

The fees of the Judges of the Superior Court were fixed at 15^. per
diem, while on the circuit, and those of the Chief Judges £20 more yearly.
Twenty shillings out of every trial was to go towards the salary of the
judges, and if this fell short the remainder of their fees were to be col-
lected out of the public treasury. The fees of jurors were increased

to 2ji,S.

Once again a cloud of sorrow and lamentation fell over the congre-
gation of the Prime Ancient Society of Fairfield. In the month of Sep-
tember the Rev. Mr. Webb had gone to a place called Unity, where he
was taken ill and died. His body was brought to Fairfield on the fol-
lowing day.

Mr. Webb was ordained at Fairfield on the 15th of August, 1694.
He had served as a faithful pastor for thirty-eight years. His long life
of usefulness in the town, and for the interests of Yale College, as well
as the changes which from time to time occurred in the separation of
no less than four parishes from his congregation, have already been
related. Reverently and tenderly his sorrowing parishioners laid his
venerable remains in the Burial Hill graveyard. He left a widow and
large family to mourn his loss.*

In October the Rev. Noah Hobart, who, as a colleague, had been a
staff and support to Mr. Webb, was called to be his successor in the pas-
toral of^ce by a vote of the Society.

The following interesting record of the events which took place at
this time is recorded in the first extant parish records of Christ Church,
by the Rev. Noah Hobart :

'^7i?>- "At a meeting of ye Brethren, & of ye Communicants of ye Church in ye Prime
Society in Fairfield on Wednesday ye 17. Day of Janu'ry A. D. 1733.

Deacon William Hill chosen moderator. Ebenezer Silliman chosen Scribe.

Put to vote at sd. meeting, whether ye Church make choice of ye Rev, Mr. Noah
Hobart for ye head & pastor ; & past in ye affrmative — Nom. Com'tee.

* Webb, Genealogy, Hist, of Fairfield, Vol. i, p. 420.

102 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ['733

" Put to vote at said meeting, whether ye ordination of ye said Mr. Hobart be attended
on Wednesday ye 7. day of February next; & passed in the affirmative. Nom. Com'tee.

"At sd. meeting also Andrew Burr Esqr., Deacon Lothrop Lewis, & Mr. Eben'zer
Silliman were chosen a Committee to call a Council to ordain ye sd. Rev. Mr. Hobart on
sd. day.

" The Consociation of the County of Fairfield set at Fairfield February the 6. & 7.
^733, at the desire of the Church of the Prime Society in said Place, & ordain a Pastor
over them.

Present from Danbury the Rev. Mr. Seth Shove, & Mr. Francis Bernham messenger.

Woodbury, the Rev. Mr. Antony Stoddard & Capt. Joseph Winn, messenger.

Stratfield, the Rev. Mr. Samuel Cooke & Major John Burr, messenger. Ridgefield, the

Rev. Thomas Hawly & James Benedick Esqr., messenger. Southbury, the Rev. Mr.

John Graham & Lieut. Andrew Heman messenger. Norwalk, the Rev. Mr. Moses Dick-
inson & Capt. Joseph Piatt messenger. Stratford, the Rev. Mr. Hezekiah Gold & Deacon

Robert Walker messenger. Stamford, the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Wright & Capt. Jonathan

Hoit, messenger. Greenfield, the Rev. Mr. John Goodsell & Deacon Daniel Burr mes-
senger. Unity, the Rev. Mr. Richardson Minor & Lieut Joseph Nichols messenger.

Horseneck, the Rev. INIr. Abraham Todd & Lieut. Ebenezer Mead messenger. New-
town, the Rev. Mr. Elisha Kent & Mr. Joseph Peet, messenger. Green's Farms, Capt.

Samuel Couch, messenger.

" The Rev. Mr. Cooke was chosen moderator, & the Rev. Mr. Dickinson, scribe. The

Rev. Mr. Stoddard desired to Preach on the Present occasion The committee of the

society produced in council the Doings of said society., by which it appears that Mr. Noah
Hobart, a candidate for the ministry, who for some time had been laboring among them,
has a unanimous call of ye said society, to the work of the ministry in s'd place.

A copy of the Doings of the Church of sd. society was likewise offered in Council,
by which they likewise agree in the sd. society in their call to ye sd. Mr. Hobart to be
their Pastor. Mr. Hobart produced a Certificate under the hand of sundry ministers; who,
from their personal acquaintance with the sd. Mr. Hobart, do signify his being one of a
virtuous conversation in full communion with their churches, & of desirable ministerial
accomplishments. The Council, after a serious & impartial examination are well satis-
fied with Mr. Hobart, both in respect of his orthodoxy & ministerial qualifications, & do

hereby concur with the sd. society & Church in respect to their motion. Voted by the

Council that the Rev. Mr. Stoddard perform ye prayer, by which the sd. Mr. Hobart may
be set apart to the work of the ministry. That the Charge be given by the Rev. Mr. Cooke,
the moderator; that the Rev. Mr. Hawly perform the first prayer, & the Rev. Mr.
Graham the last ; & that the Right Hand of Fellowship be given by the Rev. Mr. Shove, —
and the ordination was attended accordingly.

From the minutes of the Council.

NoAir Hobart." *

It was the custom in the early days of the settlement of Connecticut
on the evening after a minister had been elected over a church for the
young people to give an election ball. This ball was honored with the
presence of the minister of the church and all the dignitaries of the town.
But as time passed these balls were looked upon with discredit, as frivo-

* I'airlicld Christ's Cliurch I'.arisli Records.

1733] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD IO3

Ions and unbecoming professing- Christians; and for this reason they
were discontinued about 1733. Our grave ancestors, no doubt, looked
upon this expression of joyfulness on the part of the members of the
church very much in the same Hght that Michel, the wife of King David,
looked upon her husband when, clothed in his white linen ephod, he
danced before the Lord and all the hosts of Israel with all his might,
after he had returned from bringing the Ark of God from the house of
O'bed Edom into the city of David.

Again, a little later, in the month of June, is another entry of interest :

"At a meeting of the Brethren, the Communicants, June 4, 1733, upon Deacon Lewis
declining to serve any longer at the Lord's Table, the Church chose Capt. Moses Dimon to
succeed him. At the same time, Andrew Burr Esqr. was chosen to set & read the Psalm.

Noah Hobakt, Pastor."

In the earliest days of the colony the seat of the ruling elder was
immediately under the pulpit. A little further down sat the deacons,
facing the congregation. The men sat on one side of the meeting-house
and the women on the other, wdiile the boys had a place separate from
them, with a tithing-man, appointed by law, to sit with them and keep
them in order. As girls are not mentioned in the rules of seating, the
natural conclusion to be drawn is that our grand-dames were modest and
well-behaved from their childhood, and, therefore, were allowed to sit
with their mothers.

The service consisted of extemporaneous prayers, reading from and
explaining the Bible and singing from a metrical version of the Psalms.
A sermon one hour in length, by an hour-glass, which stood on the pul-
pit, was usually preached. The first versions of the Psalms used by the
colonists were by Henry Ainsworth of Amsterdam, and by Stenhold and
Hopkins. In 1640 The Bay Psalm Book, which was compiled by some
of the leading ministers in New England, was introduced, and generally
used in all the churches. The leading ministers in this publication were
" Welde & Eliot, of Roxbury, & Mather of Dorchester."* It was issued
from the press at Cambridge, and was the second book printed in British
America. It also became of extensive use in Great Britain, especially
in Scotland. The following lines are taken from this version :

" The heavens do declare
The majesty of God ;

* Palfrey's History of New England.

I04 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i733

Also the firmament shows forth

His handiwork abroad.
Daj- speaks to day ; knowledge

Night hath to night declared ;
There neither speech nor language is

Where their voice is not heard."

Dr. Isaac W'att's version of the Psalms was not used until about the
middle of the eighteenth century. For nearly a century " not more than
ten different tunes, if so many, were used in public worship. Few con-
gregations could sing more than five tunes, now known by the names
of York. Hackney, Windsor, St. Mary's & Martyn."'''

-Ml musical instruments were forbidden. Only the human voice was
heard, pitched to the tuning-fork. The names of the tunes were called
out by the precentor who led the singing, who sat in front of tire pulpit
facing the congregation, reading and singing the lines alternately. t
Judge Nathan Gold occupied this place for some years in Fairfield. The
introduction of a violin at last broke upon the grave questioning ears
of the Puritan elders and deacons. Then came the fiute, and finally the
organ was restored to church worship.

The beautiful songs of David, with which he delighted to chant the
praises of the God of Israel, found no room among the Puritan's songs
of worship. His version in the Bible had been used by the Romanists
and the Church of England, and with the desire to evade every appear-
ance of forms connected with either of these churches the metrical ver-
sion was introduced. Some of the latter psalms are very beautiful, but
no poet has ever attained to the sweetness, the pathos and the sublimity
of the inspired Psalmist of Israel.

It is a strange thought, and one worthy of reflection, that we Chris-
tians of to-day do not aim in om- st^igs of worship to ]tM>k nvcv the
middle centuries to the church founded l)y the Almighty amid the thun-
ders of Sinai, and to the l)eautiful ritual of David and Solomon. Are we.
or were our Puritan ancestors, any wiser than the children of Light?
Ijut great improvements have taken i)lacc within a few years, and now
we hear in the Congregational churclies the Psalms of David chanted

* Palfrey's History of New Engfland.

f An amusing story is related of a Miss Ogden of Mill I'lain, who, in the absence of the clioir
leader one Sunday, called out the tune Peterborough, giving the sound of Burr to the second
syllable. A sleeping elder by the name of Peter Hurr was suddenly awakened, and springing to
his feet faced around to the choir in blank amazement, much to the surprise and amusement of
nianv in the church.

1733] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD 105

with a Christian fervor which carries us back to the w^hite-robed choir
of the Temple and the antiphonal responses of the Sons of Asaph.

The solemnity depicted upon the faces of our forefathers on the Sab-
bath, not only out of regard to the day, but that the youth might be led
to worship in the spirit of true holiness, was but the mute concentration
of all known litanies into those few simple words, " Lord have mercy upon
us miserable sinners ! "

About this time the Rev. George Berkeley, Dean of Derby in Ire-
land, afterwards Bishop of Cloyne, sent over one thousand volumes to
Yale College, amounting in value to about five hundred pounds. The
members of the Church of England were cheered at this time with the
prospect of a Bishop, only to be bitterly discouraged in the end.

At the Treaty of Utrecht, in 171 3, the French ceded certain lands in
St. Kitts to the British crown. The good Queen Anne designed that
£80,000 from the sale of these lands should be appropriated as a fund
for the support of four bishops in America; but before her project could
be carried out she died, and the matter was allowed to slumber for some
years.

Dean Berkeley, however, called the attention of Sir George Walpole,
first lord of the treasury and prime minister in the reign of George the
Second, to the design of Queen Anne. After many importunities, Wal-
pole reluctantly proposed to the House of Commons that £20,000 should
be applied towards erecting a college at Bermuda. The grant was al-
lowed, and wath other encouragements, in the way of large subscriptions
from personal friends. Dean Berkeley set out for America, with every
confidence in the success of his enterprise.

He arrived at New Port, in Rhode Island, in the year 1729, with a
charter from the Crown to found a college at Bermuda, the design of
which was to educate scholars in theology and literature throughout
British America, and to instruct the Indians in the Christian faith. He
was so much better pleased with the advantages which Rhode Island
offered than were to be found at Bermuda that, for a time, he seriously
contemplated making it the seat of the college. Fearing, however, that
this plan might interfere with the instructions of the Royal charter and
the promised grant of money, he sailed for Bermuda, where with great
patience he awaited the promised pledge of money from the prime min-
ister. His faith, from the long delay of any reply to his appeals for this
money, at last became somewhat shaken, which led him to make an ap-

I06 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [f733

plication to the Bishop of London for some explanation, and relief from
his mortifying situation. After several fruitless ellorts by letter to gain
any satisfaction from Walpole, the Bishop requested an interview, which
was granted. For the sake of Dean Berkeley the Bishop pressed the
Prime Minister for a definite answer as to whether the pledged sum of
money would be paid. He received from the treacherous Walpole the
following reply:

" If you put this question to me as a minister, I must & can assure you, that the
money shall most undouhtedly be paid as soon as suits with public convenience ; but if you
ask me as a friend, whether Dean Berkeley should continue in America, expecting the pay-
ment of £20,000, I advise him by all means to return home to Europe, & to give up his
present expectations."

This answer was a sad blow to the cherished project of Dean Berkeley,

" This," says the Rev. Dr. E. E. Beardsley, " was the treacherous
blow which felled to the dust what Sir James Mackintosh termed, ' a
work of heroic, or rather godlike benevolence.' It was given by the
same prime minister to whom belongs the deep disgrace of having de-
feated the two noblest projects that ever were formed for the benefit of
the American Church — the one for the erection of four Bishoprics in 171 3.
& the other for the establishment of a Missionary College in Bermuda
in 1729. The whole amount of eighty thousands pounds, arising from
the sale of the crown lands in St. Kitts, the obligation which rested upon
a part of it having been thus unjustly released, was bestowed as a mar-
riage portion upon the Princess Royal; & so the Government, for rea-
sons of state, consented to the robbery of the Church."

Finding himself unable to carry out his noble scheme, Dean Berkeley
returned with his family to England; not, however, without leaving be-
hind him such testimonials of the sincerity of his undertaking, and how
near to his heart the design of enhancing the cause of Christianity in
America had lain, as were in his power to bestow. While here a most
happy and intimate friendship had existed between him and the Rev.
Dr. Samuel Johnson of Stratford. They were men of kindred minds,
of scholarly tastes and of benevolent undertakings; and both were de-
voted soldiers of Christ. They were, therefore, particularly fitted to
enjoy the companionship of each other, which existed for a space of two
years and a half.

The interest which Dr. Johnson had taken in Yale College when a
tutor had never abated. Both he and Mr. Caner of Fairfield paid fre-

1733] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD I07

qiient visits to New Haven, that the students from the Church of Eng-
land families in Connecticut might enjoy the privileges of her services;
and thus be sustained in that liberality of Christian training which must
ever be made the basis of every flourishing institution of education.

It was through the influence of Dr. Johnson that Dean Berkeley be-
came interested in Yale College. He was pleased with the efforts which
some of the trustees were making to promote the prosperity of that in-
stitution. Before leaving for England he distributed the valuable library
he had brought with him to this country among his clerical friends, and
made a donation of all his own works to the library of the college.*

Two years after he returned to England, and " assisted by several
gentlemen who had been liberal subscribers to his own intended college,"
he sent to the library of Yale College nearly a thousand volumes, valued
at about five hundred pounds. This donation was afterwards pronounced
by President Clapp to be " the finest collection of books which had then
ever been brought at one time to America."

At the same time, in order to encourage classical learning. Dean
Berkeley sent to Dr. Johnson a deed, by which a farm which he had pur-
chased at Rhode Island might be conveyed to the trustees of the college,
the net income of w^hich was " to be appropriated to the three best
scholars in Greek & Latin, who shall reside in New Haven at least nine
months in a year in each of the three years between the first & second
degrees; the candidate annually sustaining a public examination in the
presence of the senior Episcopal missionary in the Colony."

In after years Bishop Berkeley enjoyed the satisfaction of hearing
from Dr. Johnson of the benefit derived by the students from his effort
to create " a laudable ambition to excel in a knowledge of the classics."

Many years have passed since the noble Bishop was defeated in his
plans for establishing an Episcopal college in America, but within the
present century Trinity College of Hartford has become a flourishing-
institution, and our late honored and revered Bishop Williams of Con-
necticut, with the helpful donations of liberal friends, erected a pros-
perous Divinity School at Middletown, called the Berkeley Divinity School.
It is thus:

"The memory of the just,
Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust."

Many of the sons of Fairfield have enjoyed the benefit of Bishop

* Beardsley's Mist, of the Church in Connecticut.

I08 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i733

Berkeley's liberality to Yale College. From the Berkeley Divinity School
her sons have gone out into the world to proclaim the glad tidings of
the Gospel of Peace. Some have accomplished their work, and been
gathered home to the Mansions of Rest, but their names have become
home names in the family of the Church Militant at Fairfield.

From a letter written by the Rev. Mr. Caner to the Secretary of the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts we learn
that a spirit of good-will was gaining ground among our ancestors. The
following extract is taken from his letter to the Secretary, dated,

" Fairfield Sep. 8. 1733 : The spirit & temper of the people so hot against us, very much
abates; & they begin to treat us in a more friendly manner than they were wont. This
good disposition, by God's assistance, I hope to cultivate & improve to beneficial effects."
He reported that there were at that time seventy-eight communicants in his Church ; " &
that the state of the Church in general is indeed much more promising than in any time
past."

A controversy which had been carried on for some years in the
colony in regard to certain lands lying in the western part of Connecticut,
called " The Western Lands," was settled about this time. It appears
that during the usurpation of Governor Andrus, in order to save these
lands from the grasp and disposal of the obnoxious governor, the General
Assembly, on the i6th of January, 1686, hastily and without due delibera-
tion attempted to secure them to the colony, by making the following
transfer, until the time of danger should be passed:

" This Court grants to the plantations of Hartford & Windsor those lands on the
north of Woodbury & Mattatuck, & on the west of Farmington & Simsbury, to the Massa-
chusetts line north; to run west to Housatonick, or Stratford river; provided it be not,
or part of it, formerly granted to any particular person to make a plantation or village."

No legal consideration was purchased or given, nor any deed or
patent granted for these lands — in a word, they were simply placed under
the protection of Hartford and Windsor for the Governor and Company
until the time of trouble should be passed.

But when the Governor and Company afterwards claimed these lands
as their own, there arose serious troubles in the colony, especially at
Hartford, where a riot was set on foot on account of the imprisonment
of certain refractory claimants, who had persisted in locating and vending
the lands against the express orders of the legislature. Owing to great
difficulty in suppressing the rioters, and a feeling of general dissatisfac-
tion on the part of the claimants, as well as those who had been induced

1733] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD IO9

to make purchases of certain parcels of these lands, the General As-
sembly in 1726:

Resolved that the lands in controversy, should be divided between the colony &
the towns of Hartford & Windsor; that the Colony should have the western part, & Hart-
ford & Windsor the eastern division. The towns of Litchfield & certain lands which the
towns of Hartford & Windsor had conveyed away to Benjamin Fairweather, & to the
town of New Milford should not be included in the division. On the 22. of May 1729 the
Governor & Company gave a patent of one half of this land to the Colony, and the re-
maining half, " bounded on the north on the line of Alassachusetts ; west, partly on the
lands belonging to the Governor & Company, & partly in the town of Litchfield; south
partly on the town of Waterbury, & partly on the town of Farmington ; east, partly on the
town of Farmington & partly on the town of Simsbury, & partly on land belonging to the
Governor & Companj'," was divided between Windsor & Hartford, a partition of which was
made by a deed between Hartford & Windsor Feb. 11, 1732.

In May of 173 1 a map, drawn by ]Mr. Thomas Kimberly, of the lands
which the Governor and Company had relinquished to the colony, was
laid before the General Assembly by the committee appointed to draw
up an opinion and make a report thereof to the Assembly.

They reported:

"That having considered the same, we are of opinion, that it may be best and most
proper for this Assembly to appoint some meet person to lay out five towns in the said
lands, on the eastward of the Ousatunnuck river; four of which towns we think may be
accommodated northward of Litchfield, & a line drawn from Litchfield northwest corner
to the Ousatunnuck; & one town between Litchfield & the Ousatunnuck river; & that
the persons appointed to this service make report of their doings herein to this Assembly
in October next, with their opinion of the goodness or barrenness of the lands in each
of the said townships, but if the service cannot be done by them so as to make their
report to the Assembly in October next, that then they make their report to the Assembly
at their session in Alay next; & that upon the making their report, the Assembly then
proceed to dispose of & settle said lands, in such manner & method as they in their great
wisdom shall think best. All which we humbly submit to the consideration of the
Assembly.

Committee

Roger Wolcot John Riggs

Edmund Lewis Samuel Willard

John Marsh Ebenezer Silliman."

Thomas Huntington

In Oct. 1733 " Upon the memorial of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Andrew, Eliphalet Adams,
Elisha Williams, Trustees of Yale College : This Assembly do grant and order, that in each
of the five new townships lately laid out east of Ousatunnuck river, there shall be laid
out, in one entire piece, three hundred acres of land, to be laid out at a distance from
the several town platts; which tract of land, containing in the whole fifteen hundred
acres, shall, when laid out, be, by a patent under the seal of this Colony, granted & con-
firmed to the trustees of said college, to have & to hold to them & their successors

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

[1733

trustees of the said college, for the only & sole use, benefit & behoof of said school, for-
ever, & to no other use."

In May, 1733, the committee appointed to make a report of what they thought
proper should be done with the several townships laid out in the western lands made the
following return to the General Assembly :

" First, That an act be made and passed at this Assembly, granting all the monies
which shall be raised by the sale of the seven towns, lately laid out in the western lands,
to the towns of this Colony that are now settled, to be divided to them in proportion
according to the list of their polls & rateable estate in the year last past, & to be secured
& forever improved for the use of the schools kept in said towns according to law."

In order to sell & settle these lands, a committee was ordered to be chosen in each
county in the Colony, " who should enter the names of the persons who shall desire to be
purchasers of the new townships & settle the same under such regulations as the Assembly
shall order, with the sum that each person should offer to pay for a share in any one of
the said townships. These townships were divided into fifty shares each, besides three
other shares which were set apart, one for the first minister that should be settled there,
to be conveyed to him in fee; one to be sequestered for the use of the established churches
of the Colony, & one for the use of the school or schools in those towns forever.

The committee for the county of Hartford was appointed to take subscriptions for
the township number i, " being the north eastern town & the north most township on the
west side Ousatonic; and the committee of the county of New Haven shall take the sub-
scription for the township no. 2, being the southeast town, and the southern town
on the west side said river ; the committee of the county of New London shall take the sub-
scription for the township no. 3 being the northwest town ; the committee of the county
of Fairfield shall take the subscription for the township no 4, being the middle town
bounded west by Ousatunnuck river; & the committee for the county of Windham shall
take the subscriptions for the township no. 5, being the lower or southern town,'& is
bounded westerly by the Ousatunnuck river, which subscriptions, taken by the committees
as aforesaid, shall be transmitted to the General Assembly at their session in October next."

Mr. Andrew Burr and Mr. Samuel Burr were made a committee to
take the subscriptions of the County of Fairfield.

At the same time an act was passed for the encouragement and bet-
ter support of schools in the several towns and parishes in the colony,
that the money arising from the sale of these lands should be used for
the support of said schools, " (viz. :) those schools that ought to be kept
in those towns that are now settled, & that did make & complete lists
of their polls & rateable estate in the last year past."*

At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 10, 1733.
Major John Burr was elected an Assistant, and Captain Samuel Couch
and Captain Andrew Burr representatives from Fairfield. IMajor Burr
was appointed Judge of the County and Probate Courts of Fairfield, and
one of the treasury auditors.

Mr. Moses Dimon, Jr., was commissioned captain, Mr. Samuel Wake-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, pp. 44, 100, 109, 341, 343, 361, 362, 3S6, 445, 457, and 412.

17341 GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD 1 I 1

man lieutenant and Mr. Samuel Lyon ensign of the Greenfield parish
train-band.

Lieutenant y\ndrevv Burr was commissioned captain, Mr. Samuel
Rowland lieutenant and Mr. John Dimon ensign of the second train-band
of the town of Fairfield.

A law was passed at this time to preserve the forests and young tim-
ber lands. It had for years been a practice in the towns to burn in the
spring the wild growth of vines and shrubs on the commons and road-
sides, which sometimes extended into the forests, causing great loss and
damage. It was, therefore, made a law " that no person after the loth
of August should set fire on any lands or commons in the colony," under
a heavy penalty.

An issue of five thousand pounds of bills of credit, which had been
made in the month of February, was now ordered to be stamped on the
large and small plates. And another issue be made of twenty thousand
pounds on new plates, which should be denominated and in number as
the former plates, but with suitable distinctions.*

In order to meet these several issues of bills of credit, taxes w-ere
levied from time to time on the inhabitants of the towns.

The Assembly met at New Haven, October nth. Judge John Burr.
Captain Andrew Burr and Lieutenant Samuel Burr were present from
Fairfield.

Mr. James Judson was commissioned captain, Mr. Moses Ward lieu-
tenant, Mr. Elnathan Peet cornet player, and Mr. Daniel Brinsmaid
quartermaster of the Fairfield County troops. Mr. Simon Couch was
commissioned ensign of the Green's Farms train-band.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £34,862 10.?. iid.

1734. The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 7th, when Major
John Burr was elected an Assistant, and Lieutenant Samuel Burr and
Mr. Ebenezer Silliman representatives from Fairfield. Major John Burr
was made Judge of the County Court of Fairfield. Lieutenant John Burr
was commissioned captain, Mr. Ephraim Hubbell lieutenant, and Mr.
David Sherman ensign of the Stratfield train-band.

An effort having been made to raise silk in the colony, to encourage
which the Assembly enacted a law :

" That a premium should be paid of one shilling six pence for every ounce of good
sewing silk; for every pair of silk stockings weighing four ounces, & so {>ro rata, seven
* Col. Rec. ("onn., 7, 1726-1735, p. 460.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i734

shillings & six pence; for every yard of silk stuff one shilling, & for every yard whereof
the warp is all silk two shillings & three pence; for every yard of silk half a yard wide,
weighing less than one ounce three shillings & nine pence; for every yard weighing one
ounce & less than two ounces six shillings; for every yard weighing two ounces or more
nine shillings ; all to be well wrought. Which premium shall be paid on an order obtained
of the county court of the public treasury, & to be given to the person that wove the
silk & showed that it had been made from the growth & product of silk worms, bred &
nourished in the colony. This act was to continue for ten years." *

An act was also passed to encourage raising flax for making canvas
or duck and fine linen:

"A premium of four pence a pound was offered for good hemp raised in the colony;
twenty shillings for every bolt or piece of good canvas or duck of thirty-six yards in
length thirty inches wide, weighing not less than forty-five pounds ; for every yard of
fine linen cloth, well spun, woven & one yard wide, & made of yarn that is eight run to the
pound, two shillings a yard & so pro rata for wider or narrower."

Persons who made duck or fine linen were to receive a premium only
when they took it to an Assistant and one Justice of the Peace, in the
county in which they lived, and showed that the hemp was grown and
spun within the county. This act was to continue in force for five years, t

There was an efifort on the part of a few persons to raise silk and
weave it in the colony, but it did not prove successful, except in the way
of sewing silk. But the art of linen weaving had for some years been
followed, until it became the pride and ambition of every housekeeper
and her daughters to spin and weave linen for sheets, table covers, towels
and wearing apparel. Some became such adepts in the art as to produce
figures,:}: plaids and spots in their towels and table covers. A house-
keeper with a well-filled linen closet of her own weaving, was considered
rich, and she exhibited her stock with the greatest degree of pride.

Home-made blankets and woollen by the yard, called Jiome-spun, w^as
woven for stockings and wearing apparel, dyed in red, blue and yellow
colors. One of the most picturesque and graceful pictin-es of those days
\yas to see a matron or young girl standing with her carded wool in one
hand while turning her spinning-wheel with her other, as she spun it into
yarn. With what dexterity and deftness they wove it from their home-
looms into cloth ! What a picture she presented in the evening at home,
or at a neighboring gathering, with her knitting-needles, as she knit

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 494. f <-"ol- I'^ec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 512.

X The author of this history presented to the Sinitlisonian Institution at Washington, I). C, in
1895 a fuic linen towel spun and woven by her giandniollier, Elizabeth Jennings llubbell, in 1S21.

1734] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD II 3

Stockings for her family! O ye mothers of those days, what blessed
memories you recall, as all your hours of industry rise uj) in benediction
upon your children's children !

The Assembly met at New Haven, October loth. when Judge John
Burr, Captain Samuel Couch and Mr. Ebenezer Silliman were present
from Fairfield, when but little of interest to Fairfield took place.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £35,582 19^'. 4^/.

The Green's Farms Parish Records afford us an idea of how our
ancestors were summoned to worship on the Lord's day, " Dec. 2^, 1734.
It is ordered that John Blackman shall beat the drum on Clapboard Hill,
& sweep the meeting-house, & have fifty shillings for so doing."

There is an old tradition that the very earliest custom of calling the
people to church was by beating narrow strips of board together on the
summit of some prominent or central hill in each parish; and that this
early practice gave rise to the name of clapboard hUl. There are no less
than three hills named in this way in the town — one at Fairfield, one at
Stratfield and one at Green's Farms. There may have been others in
the northern villages of the town. Drums took the place of the clap-
boards until such times as the several parishes were able to provide their
meeting-houses with a bell.

In May the General Assembly passed a law giving liberty to the in-
habitants of the towns which had obtained permission to worship for
certain months in the year separate from the established churches of the
colony, to lay taxes upon the members of the societies to which they
belonged for the support of their churches, according to the vote of the
majority of the members of said societies. They were also allow'ed to
choose a clerk to enter their votes, and a committee of three or more
discreet and able men to conduct the prudential affairs of their societies.*

About this time a most alarming and terrible throat epidemic, called
the throat distemper, prevailed in the Colony of Connecticut. Dr. Trum-
bull states that it was attended " with sudden & extraordinary mortality.
In several towns almost all the children were swe|)t away. In some in-
stances large families consisting of eight & nine children w^ere made en-
tirely desolate. The parents in a short time attended them all to the
grave, & had neither son nor daughter left. Th.e country was filled with
mourners & bitter affliction."

Dr. Trumbull also states that there existed a sad want of interest in

* Col. Rec. of Conn., Vol. 7, p. 493.

114 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i734

the cause of vital Christianity. An apathy, such as neither earnest preach-
ing or sudden and alarming deaths could rouse, settled over the churches.
The form of religion was kept up, but even professing Christians were
cold and lukewarm. Worldliness prevailed; family worship was neg-
lected, and the Lord's day sadly profaned. " The young people made the
evenings after the Lord's day, & after lectures, the time for their mirth
& company-keeping. Taverns were haunted, intemperance & other vices
increased, & the spirit of God appeared to be awfully withdrawn." Many
of the clergy preached " a cold, unprincipled & lifeless morality; for when
the doctrines of original sin, of regeneration, justification by faith alone,
& the other peculiar doctrines were preached, & distinctions made be-
tween the morality of Christians originating in evangelical principles,
faith & love, & the morality of heathens, the people were offended, &
became violent opposers."*

A very important step was taken during this year in regard to the
sale of the parsonage lands lying in the town of Fairfield. In February
of the previous year it had been voted at a town meeting " that the par-
sonage lands should be disposed of for the use of the ministry,"' but a
large majority voted against it.

At the same time it was voted : " that all the town lands, belonging
to the parsonage & ministry, should be appropriated to the support of
every ordained minister in the Presbyterian or Congregational religion,
in proportion according to the list of estates in every parish in the orig-
inal bounds of the town of Fairfield, made in the year 1732, & sold in
October last to ye General Assembly; only ye west parish & Greenfield
Parish to put both their lists together, & divide equally to the support
of their ministry. Samuel Couch, Thomas Hill, John Burr, Andrew
Burr, Peter Burr, Sanniel Wakeman & Benjamin Gilbert were ap-
pointed a committee to sell the ])arsonage land for the use aforesaid."

This subject was again brought before the town this year when the
question was raised :

" As to whether the town do allow & confirm the doings of the committee as men-
tioned in said agreement or covenanted in all the parts thereof, & order the same to be
renewed. A vote was passed in the affirmative." It was also, " voted that the parsonage
lands should be sold by the committee at a public auction, at such time & places as the
committee shall appoint exempting ye lot by ye school house." f

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2, p. 137.

\ Fairfield Town Votes. It appears that three acres of this parsonage land, lying on the
northeast side of the meeting-house green, was sold to the Rev, Noah Ilobart for the sum of ;^300.

1735] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD II 5

The division and sale of these parsonage lands caused no small amount
of contention among- our ancestors. The members of the Church of
England were still regarded as dissenters, and, therefore, were allowed
no right or share in their sale; and in this respect they deemed them-
selves unjustly treated. They were allowed to realize the precise dif-
ference between living in England under the control and discipline of
church and state, and that of living in New England under the same cir-
cumstances. However, they were genuine sons and daughters of the
mother country, with all her resolution, grit, perseverance and mettle;
and what they could not cure they, in true John Bull style, made up their
minds to endure — abiding their time until lawful, rights and liberty of
conscience to all classes should prevail.

1735. The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 8th, when Major
John Burr was elected an Assistant, and Captains Samuel and Andrew-
Burr were chosen deputies from Fairfield. Mr. Simon Couch w^as com-
missioned captain and Mr. Samuel Sherwood ensign of the Green's Farms
train-band.

An act was passed directing how the taxes for supporting ministers
should be collected, by which the officers of each society " allowed by
the Assembly " should annually levy proper taxes upon the parishes for
the support of their ministers; and said officers were to receive from an
Assistant or Justice of the Peace of the town in which he lived, for a
writ to levy and collect such taxes. No minister was to be kept out of
his salary longer than two months after his year had expired, when, in
such a case, the sheriffs or constables were to levy on the estates of the
delinquents, and "pay the same unto such minister." The neglect of
this duty subjected the officers to a fine of five pounds from the County
Court, " without appeal or review in such cases."* Non-residents own-
ing improved real estate were also subject to this tax.

Upon the memorial of Chicken, an Indian sagamore living between
Fairfield, Danbury, Ridgefield and Newtown, at a place called Lone-
town, exhibited a deed of land he had sold to Captain Samuel Couch,

lie soon after built a parsonage on the site of the kite residence of Miss Eliza Hull. The
remainder of his purchase was laid out in building lots, upon one of which his nephew, Justin
Hobart, erected a house in 1765, of which event a centennial anniversary was celebrated in 1S65 by
Mrs. Justin Hobart and her family. This house is at present occupied by Miss Hannah Hobart,
a daughter of Mrs. Justin Hobart. The middle lot was built upon by Isaac Tucker in 1766, which
afterwards became the residence of the late Edmund Hobart, Esq.
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 554.

Il6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1735

February i8, 1725, showing he had reserved certain part of his land for
himself and his children, near his wigwam or dwelling-house, praying the
Assembly to appoint a committee to visit and set off to him his lawful
rights. Chicken's case was referred to the October Court.'''

Although New Fairfield had been granted to several of the inhabi-
tants of Fairfield in 17 10, the Indian wars near the frontiers of the colony,
and the objection on the part of some of the owners to its settlement,
had prevented any substantial growth of the place. But at this time
John Edwards and Gideon Allyn of Fairfield, in behalf of themselves and
other proprietors, presented a memorial to the Assembly for a further
confirmation of these lands to them. This memorial was also referred
to the October session. t

Frequent burglaries and thefts having been committed, an act was
passed that any person found guilty of stealing money, goods or chat-
tels to the value of twenty shillings should forfeit to the owners treble
their value and be punished by whipping " not exceeding ten stripes.''
Any person found guilty of breaking into a dwelling-house or shop where
goods were sold, or should rob any person, for the first offence, " should
be branded in the forehead with the letter B, & have one of his ears nailed
to a post & cut off, & also be whipped on the naked body fifteen stripes '' ;
and for the second offence, " should not only be branded with the letter
B, but have his other ear cut off & be whipped twenty-five stripes." For
a third offence he was to suffer death.:}:

Stringent laws were passed in regard to the sale of wine and liquor.
A tax of sixpence on every gallon of rum and wine imported into the
colony was levied on all retailers and tavern keepers. Less than a quar-
ter of a cask of twenty gallons was not to be sold to anyone, " except
retailers and tavern keepers." No retailer was allowed to sell less than
a quart of strong liquor, or allow any sold by him to be drunk in his
house. Each town was to nominate at the annual town meetings such
tavern keepers as they deemed suitable to be retailers, and to appoint a
commissioner of excise to collect the excise due from " all retailers of
strong drink." Retailers were to be licensed under Ixmds. Any evasion
of these laws was to be punished by a heavy fine. The names of all
licensed tavern keepers and retailers were to be posted on their doors.
Masters of vessels importing strong licpiors into the colony were to pay

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 557 f <^"o'- ^^*^^- Conn., \ ol. 7. p. 559.

I Col. Rcc. Conn., \'ul. 7, p. 5O1.

1736] C.ROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD II7

a duty of sixteen pence per gallon, except rum from the West Indies con-
signed to some person or persons in the colony, when the captain was
to pay eight pence per gallon. A tax of twelve pence per gallon was
levied on all rum distilled in the colony.*

At the October session of the General Assembly, Mr. Samuel Sher-
wood was commissioned lieutenant and Mr. Benjamin Rumsey ensign
of the west parish or Green's Farms train-band.

A stringent law was passed imposing a heavy fine upon officers who
even for a day's absence neglected attending and regularly training and
preparing the troops and foot companies for active service.

The list of taxable estates at Fairfield were valued at £38,288 8s. 6d.

1736. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May
13th, Judge John Burr was chosen an Assistant, and Mr. Ebenezer Silli-
man and Mr. Andrew Burr representatives from Fairfield. Judge John
Burr was chosen Judge of the Fairfield County Courts and also Judge
of Probate for the District Court. Andrew Burr was appointed Justice
of the Peace for the county.

On account of great loss and inconvenience from mischievous persons
breaking the bills of credit into halves and quarters so as not to render
counterfeiting easily discovered, a stringent law was passed forbidding
such injury to the bills, and forbidding the colony treasurer from paying
out any such broken bills.

Postmen were granted sixpence per mile.

Mr. Ebenezer Silliman was appointed County Surveyor for Fairfield.

At the meeting of the General Assembly in New Haven, October
14th, a law was passed by which widows and women innocently divorced
were, upon the death of their husbands, allowed one-third of their es-
tates, made returnable to the Judge of Probate of the towns in w^hich
they lived.

An important, an exciting event (in the history of our town) took
place at this time in regard to the settlement of New Fairfield. The
proprietors of the tract of land which had been granted to them by the
General Assembly in 1707. namely, " Capt. Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr,
Capt. John Wakeman, John Edwards, Jonathan Sturges, John Barlow,
Gideon Allin. Samuel Wilson. Samuel Jinings, Moses Dimon & Joseph
Wakeman, all inhabitants of Fairfield," petitioned for a patent for said
lands. This patent was granted, " provided the persons mentioned in

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 7, p. 561.

Il8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i737

such grant, their associates, heirs & assigns, shall settle on said lands so
many good inhabitants as will make up in the whole fifty families within
three years next coming."*

Here again we find a remote parish springing out of the old Prime
Society of Fairfield, and the sons and daughters of our forefathers busy
with preparations for new homes among the Indians.

Measures were renewed to christianize the Indians throughout the
colony, they having at this time expressed a desire to be instructed in
the Christian faith. The following Thanksgiving Day was appointed to
collect a contribution in all the parishes in the colony for this object.
Mr. Andrew Burr was one of the committee to receive said contributions
for Fairfield.

The money which had been appropriated from the sale of the Western
Lands for the encouragement and support of good schools of the colony
had in some instances been used for the support of the established min-
isters, of which the Assembly approved, and " released the said school
money to the support of the ministry as aforesaid; any former act of this
Assembly to the contrary notwithstanding."

The first meeting-house at Green's Farms proved at this date too
small for the congregation, and the usual arguments and quarrels arose
about the precise place for locating a second house of worship ; and as
they could not come to an agreement in the matter, some of the more
energetic member<i of the parish applied to the legislature, " praying to
have a committee appointed to ascertain a place for erecting a meeting-
house in said society."

Mr. John Thomson, Samuel Comstock. & John Bartlet were appointed a committee
for this purpose. They at once proceeded to Green's Farms, & before the session of the
Assembly closed reported that they had, " agreeable to their instructions, repaired to said
society & ascertained the place to be about four rods & five feet south-westerly from the
south-west corner of the school house in said society standing on the west side of Muddy
creek, so called; there to the southeast corner of said house." It was therefore resolved
by the Assembly " that the above described place shall be the place for said society to
erect their meeting-house upon, & they are hereby ordered to proceed to erect & build said
house upon the same."t

1737. Judge John Burr was again elected an Assistant of the General
Assembly, holdcn at Hartford, May 12th, and Captain Andrew Burr and
Mr. Ebenezer Silliman representatives for Fairfield. Judge John Burr

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 8, p. 62. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 8, pp. 124, 142.

1737] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD II9

was also appointed Judge for the County and for the District Probate
Court of Fairfield. Edward Lewis was made surveyor of the county.

Owing to a scarcity of grain, no flour or grain was allowed to be
taken out of the colony before the month of June, under a penalty of
fifty pounds.

Messrs. Samuel Hanford, Ebenezer Silliman and Seth Samuel Burr,
the committee appointed to examine into the land claim of the Indian
Sagamore Chicken, which he had reserved to himself and his heirs out
of land sold to Captain Samuel Couch, having made a favorable report
of Chicken's claim, they were appointed to proceed to lay out his land
and report to the October session of the Assembly.*

The proprietors of New Fairfield were granted town privileges, and
to exercise all the voting powers and privileges as proprietors of com-
mon and undivided lands under the laws of the colony, t

Mr. Benjamin Gilbert was commissioned lieutenant of the train-band
of Greenfield.

An act was passed dividing the sale and settlement of the townships
in the Western Lands :

" That all the townships on both sides of the Ousatonnick river, be disposed of &
settled, & that each town on the east side of said river shall be divided into fifty three
rights (exclusive of the lands granted to the College, & all former grants of this Court
that are surveyed & recorded in the public records of this Colony & are lying in either
of said towns of which fifty three rights, one shall be for the use of the ministry, forever,
that shall be settled in the town according to the constitution & order of the churches
established by the laws of this government regulating ecclesiastical aflfairs, & one for the
first gospel minister settled as aforesaid, & one right for the support of the school in such
town ; & the same rule shall be attended in every one of said townships, being five in number ;
& the remaining fifty in said towns, shall be sold at a public vendue to the highest bidders,
being of his Majestie's subjects, inhabitants of this Colony, that will settle & inhabit at
least three years in such towns. & to no other persons. Further, the two townships on
the west side of the Ousatonnick river shall be divided, the north west townships into
twenty five rights, & the south west into fifty three rights, & that the same reserves be
made in either of them for the ministry, ministers, & school lands, as are resolved into

five townships abovesaid. Any person qualified to purchase an interest in these lands,

was required within three years to build & finish an house of eighteen feet square & seven
feet stud, & to subdue & fence at least six acres of land in such town where he is a settler
or hath a fixed agent, under forfeiture of his purchase. These towns were to be auctioned
at the Court Houses of each county town.

The middle town, afterwards called Cornwall, bounded west on Ousatonnick river,
was ordered to be sold at the court house in Fairfield on the first Tuesday in February
next at one of the clock afternoon, & continue by adjournment until the whole be sold,

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII., p. 94. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 8, p. 104.

120 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i737

John Burr Esqr. Edmund Lewis Esqr, & Mr. Ebenezer Silliman, or any two of them,
were appointed a committee to sell the ritihts, take bonds, give deeds, with defeazances, in
manner & form as hereafter in this act shall be directed." *

It was about the year 1739 that the Rev. Joseph \\'ebb, Jr., son of
the Rev. Joseph Webb of Fairfield, was dismissed from the Presbyterian
church of Newark and New Jersey and returned to Fairfield. There
had arisen a controversy in his parish in respect to the form of adminis-
tering the Communion. Some of the leading characters in the church
declared themselves in favor of the Chmxh of England. A trivial charge
was also brought against Colonel Josiah Ogden.f who was repeatedly
tried l)y the Presbytery, with a solemnity far beyond its importance, and
always came ofT triumphant. Mr. John Dickinson of New Jersey was
called in to preach upon the occasion and to assist in settling the con-
troversies then in dispute. One point of discussion was the propriety of
dismissing the congregation and administering the Sacrament in a pri-
vate manner. In some way the Rev. John Beach of the Church of Eng-
land, of Newtown and Reading, Conn., was drawn into a lengthy con-
tro\ersv with Air. Jonathan Dickinson, " until," the Rev. Dr. Alexander
MacWhorter says. " all parties were weary of reading the pamphlets."

In the heat of this controversy many persons became dissatisfied with
Afr. Webb, and the major j^art of his congregation applied to the Pres-
l)ytery for his dismission. " One hundred pounds was offered him, with
security for an arrears of salary; wliich proposal he accepted, & was
accordingly dismissed." The Rev. Dr. MacW'horter states in his Cen-
tury Sermon, " the worst thing that could be said against him, in the
times of party spirit & tumult, was that he was too peaceable & too good."
. . . " In less than two years after his dismissal this worthy & good

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. S, p. 134.

f Col. Josiah Ogden's wheat had been cut down, and was likely all to be lost by long con-
tinued rains. A certain Sabbath presenting him with very fine weather, he was induced to draw
the grain into his barn on that day, believing it to be a case of necessity, and tliat he was justified
in so doing. The Church thought differently, and tried and censured him. Tiic matter was
brought before the Presbytery, and Colonel Ogden was acquitted. But the breach was tro wide
to be healed thus. Colonel Ogden and .some other persons withdrew and were the first materials
of which the first C'hurch of England in this town was forir.ed. After this separation, the Rev.
Jonathan Dickinson, of Elizabethtown, was called in by the Presbyterians to preach a sermon
ag.ainst the points advocated by the Episcopal Church. This sermon was preached June 2, 1736,
and called forth an answer from the Rev. John Beach, Episcopal minister of Newtown, in Connec-
li(ut. — Rev. Dr. A. Mac Whorter's Century Sermon preached in 1801 on the settlement of New-
iuk., N. I.

1737] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD 121

man came to an untimely end. He & his son were both drowned in
crossing Sea-brook ferry on the Connecticut river."

Immediately after the dismissal of Mr. Webb the Presbyterians of
Newark, November 6th, appointed a committee to invite the Rev. Aaron
Burr of Fairfield to preach as a candidate among them. He accepted
their invitation, and gave such general satisfaction that he received a
unanimous call January lo, 1737, to preach one year in that church.
At the expiration of that time he was ordained their pastor by the Presby-
tery of New Jersey. Thus Fairfield furnished Newark, New Jersey, with
three ministers in succession — namely, the Rev. Samuel Wakeman, the
Rev. Joseph Webb and the Rev. Aaron Burr. A Mr. Jabez Wakeman
was the fourth minister of Newark, probal)ly a son or grandson of the
Rev. Samuel Wakeman of Fairfield. He lived but three years after being-
called to Newark, and died in 1704, aged twenty-six years.

In the old Parish Record at Fairfield is the following entry:

" Baptized March 1716 Aaron son of Mr. Daniel Burr of upper niedow." Early
evincing a strong love for study and literature, he was encouraged by his parents to follow
those tastes. After a liberal education, he was sent to Yale College, and at the expiration
of four years graduated with the highest honors of his class. His proficiency in Greek
and Latin was the result, after receiving his first degree, of his being made a resident
graduate of the Berkeley Scholarship Fund. He chose the ministry above the other pro-
fessions, and was licensed as a candidate September, 1736. His first parish was at Green-
field, Mass. After spending a short time at Greenfield, he removed to Hanover, New
Jersey. It was from Hanover that he was called to Newark. Soon after settling in
Newark he opened a Latin school which in the course of time gained a high reputation.

In 1746 the College of New Jersey was instituted, and the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson
was chosen the first President ; but to the great grief and distress of its founders he died
the next year. In their dilemma the students were removed from Elizabethtown to
Newark and placed under the care of Mr. Burr. The literary talent, learning, and public
spirit of Mr. Burr far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of his friends. Gov.
Belcher in September, 1747, granted a new charter and named the college Nassau Hall,
in honor of the Prince of Orange. On the 9th of November, 17.48, Mr. Aaron Burr was
chosen the President. For eight years he presided over the college with unwearying zeal,
and from a feeble condition he raised it to one of " illustrious fame."

When it was decided that the seat of the college should be at Princeton the trustees
found the people of Newark unwilling to part with their pastor. The question arose
'■ whether the pastoral relation between a minister and people could be dissolved, more
than the relation between husband and wife." The trustees pleaded strongly on one side
and the people on the other. After a great deal of discussion the logical argument of
argumentuiii ad hoiiiiiicin was adopted; and Mr. Burr was allowed to resign his pastoral
charge at Newark.

" After much said about the utility, importance & necessity of his removal, the term
of argumcntum hominem was stated by the trustees to the committee of the congregation :
All covenants must be entered into by two parties, & are mutually binding; & each farty

122 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1738

ought to enjoy equal rights & {>rivileges in the continuance or dissolution of them. This
the committee readily granted. Then the trustees proceeded to lay down their proposition ;
that whenever a people zvere dissatisfied with their minister, they sued for his dismission and
obtained it, however much the minister zvas opposed to it. After stating serious instances in
other places, they brought the argument home to their own bosoms, saying : Did you not
dismiss Mr Abraham Pierson, Mr. Prudcn, Mr Bozvers & Mr. Webb; — all the ministers
you ever had except two? And were not the most of them utterly opposed to a dismission?
Were they ever charged either zuith heresy in doctrine, or immorality in practice? Did
they not plead before you their long & faithful services, you depriving them of their
bread & their living, &■ of their incapacity at their time of life, to enter into other business?
Did you, in these instances, suppose the agreement betzveen a pastor & congregation bore
any similitude to the marriage covenant? The committee were satisfied; & the candid &
judicious part of the congregation agreed that Air. Burr should be dismissed."*

1738. The General Assembly met at Hartford on the nth of May,
when Judge Burr was again chosen an Assistant, Mr. Ebenezer Silliman
and Captain Andrew Burr representatives. Judge John Burr was also
chosen Judge of the County and Probate Courts, and Samuel Couch
and John Read Justices of the Peace for Fairfield County.

Mr. Elnathan Peet was commissioned lieutenant, Mr. Daniel Brins-
mead cornet player and Mr. William Patterson quartermaster of the Fair-
field County troops.

Captain Andrew Burr was appointed with Theophilus Nichols to meet
the Commissioners of the Province of New York and Rhode Island at
Norwich, to make a reply to letters from the Lords Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations, and to make a report to them of the laws which
governed the colony, and what kind of money was used.

On account of the low circumstances of the Presbyterian parish of
Reading, in Fairfield, the Court remitted their county taxes for four
years.

At the October session of the General Assembly, held at New Haven,
Mr. Seth Samuel Burr was commissioned captain, Mr. Samuel Squire
lieutenant, and Mr. Nathaniel Silliman ensign of the first train-band of
Fairfield. The usual fall nominations for the spring election were made.

Each of the seven new townships of the Western Lands were granted
full town and parish privileges, and the several committees appointed
to sell them were ordered to deliver all the bonds by them taken for the

* On the 29lh of June, 1752, President Aaron Burr was married to Miss Esther Edwards,
daughter of Rev. Jonathan ICdwards of Storkbridge, Mass. On the 3d of May following a
daughter was born who received the name of Sarah, and on the 6th of February, 1756, was
born in his uncle's, Isaac Burr's, house at Fairfield, Aaron Burr who afterwards became a noted
actor in the history of our country.

1738] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD I23

payment thereof to the treasurer of the colony, taking his receipts for
the same, which receipts were to be dehvered to the Secretary of the
colony.*

The clergy and members of the Church of England throughout the
colony felt very keenly the injustice of not being allowed any benefit
whatever from the sale of the new townships, and in consequence the
clergy sent the following account to the Secretary of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel. Their letter is dated March 29, 1739, in
which they set forth :

" That the several methods of the legislature & of the members of the Presbyterian
& Congregational ciiurches to elude any attempt made by the Churchmen to obtain their
rights : among which they refer to certain funds in each town to be let out to use for
raising the salaries of the ministers without any tax upon the people; the sale of public
land to each parish except the Church of England; the sale of seven new townships of
common lands belonging to the Colony; the money appropriated either to schools or to
what they call the established ministry of the government at the election of the several
towns (as will appear by the printed acts for this purpose;) so that according to their
sense of the law, we of the Church of England are excluded from any benefit of that sale.
They also appropriate the loan of their last commission of £50,000 bills of credit to that
purpose."

Six hundred and thirty males of the Church of England above the
age of sixteen appealed to the General Assembly for their proportions
in these interests, which was not granted; consequently, the clergy of
the colony applied to the mother country for redress. Their appeal was
signed by the Reverends Samuel Seabury, Ebenezer Punderson, John
Arnold, Samuel Johnson, J. Whitmore, Henry Caner and John Beach, t

The first Church of England at Fairfield proved at this date " much
too little " for the congregation, and measures were taken to erect a new
church of larger dimensions. The following vote is recorded in our town
records :

"July 27, 1738: Put to vote whether the town will give liberty to the members of
the Church of England to erect a house for public worship on the highway near the old
field-gate, provided Moses Ward of Fairfield release his interest & claim to the proprietors
of the said town which he hath to the land granted formerly by said town to Jacob Joy,
lying on the meeting-house green; & passed in the affirmative. Put to vote whether the
members for erecting the above said Church shall extend the same thirty eight foot north-
westerly from Jonathan Sturge's stone fence & no further ; & passed in the affirmative.

Put to vote whether Thomas Hill, Samuel Rowland, & Thaddeus Burr .shall be a com-
mittee for the measuring out the place for the erecting said Church, according to the

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII, pp. 169-171.

t Bishops Hawkes and Perry's Hist. Protestant Episcopal Church in the U. S. A., p. 169.

124 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i739

aforesaid vote, any two of them to have the power of tlie whole ; — passed in the affirma-
tive." *

It is very apparent from the terms of this grant of land that our
Puritan ancestors were vigorously opposed to a Church of England being
erected on the meeting-house green. In the progress of Christian good-
will, however, it is a somewhat singular fact that St. Paul's Episcopal
Church at the present time stands upon the meeting-house green, facing
the Congregational meeting-house in undisturbed quietude from any out-
side influences.

The old field gate referred to in this vote separates the road from
Sasco Hill to Fairfield, and lies next to the vacant lot adjoining the late
Henry Rowland's estate, on which lot, until burned by the British in
1779, the new church stood. This church when completed was fifty-five
feet in length, thirty-five feet in breadth and twenty feet in height, with
a handsome steeple and spire of one hundred feet and a good bell of five
hundred weight.

The Rev. Mr. Cornwall, in his Historical Discourse on The One Hun-
dred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts, which he preached at Trinity Church, South-
port, August 10, 1 85 1, states:

" The parish of Fairfield had outstripped in some respects the old parish of Stratford,
& taken the position of the leading parish in this Colony : — from original papers in the
office of the Secretary of State, that of six hundred & thirty-six heads of families, men &
women, whose signatures were attached to a petition then presented to the Colonial
Assembly from nine parishes under the care of seven missionaries, one hundred & twenty
four, about one fifth of the whole were under the care of Mr. Caner in Fairfield & Nor-
walk ; & of these eighty-two, or more than one-eighth of the whole belonged to Fairfield —
& ninety-fzuo were under the care of Mr. Beach, missionary of Newtown & Reading."

1739. At the meeting of the (jeneral Assembly at Ilartford, on May
loth. Judge John Burr and Mr. Ebenezer Silliman were elected Assist-
ants, and Captain Andrew Burr and Mr. Ebenezer Silliman representa-
tives for Fairfield. Judge John lUu'r was also appointed Judge of the
County and District Probate Coint. Captain Samuel Couch, John Read
and Samuel Burr were made Justices of the Peace for Fairfield County.

It was reported to the Assembly that the long controversy between
the inhabitants of Danbury, Samuel Couch, Daniel Chapman, Thomas
Nash, Samuel Gold and Hczekiah (Jold, in regard to the south bounds

* I'airlielil Town \'otes.

1739] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD 1 25

of Danbury and the land adjoining, which had been granted and patented
to Captain Couch and his associates, had been amicably settled. The
Assembly accepted and confirmed the boundaries fixed upon.*

The summer of 1739 heralded the one hundredth anniversary of the
settlement of the town of Faiiiield. Contrasting the first, small, rude
meeting-house, which was of ample size to hold the entire population of
the early settlement, with the churches which had sprung out of the Prime
Ancient Society at Stratfield, Green's Farms, Greenfield, Reading, New-
town and New Fairfield our forefathers must have been led to exclaim :
" The Lord hath increased & multiplied his people exceedingly ! Thou
crownest the year with thy goodness : & thy paths drop fatness. . . .
They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness; & the little hills rejoice
on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are
covered over with corn; they shout for joy, also they sing. ... As
the eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttering over her young, spreadeth abroad
her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings : so the Lord alone
did lead him, & there was no strange God with him. . . . Let the
wilderness & the cities thereof lift up their voice. . . . Let the in-
habitants of the rocks sing, let them shout from the top of the moun-
tains."

The pioneer sons and daughters of toil and privation had laid the
foundations of a good work, and had been gathered Home to receive
the reward of their labors; and now their grandchildren and their chil-
dren's children are found blessed in all the prosperity of one of the most
thriving and influential towns in the colony of Connecticut.

The first care of those who received this goodly inheritance appears
to have been to honor the Lord by making the houses erected to Llis
glory as comfortable and beautiful as their means permitted.

"At a church meeting of Christ's Church Fairfield held May 31, 1739, Mr. Lothrop
Lewis & Mr. Samuel Rowland were chosen deacons. It was also voted that Mr. Lothrop
Lewis & Mr. Samuel Rowland be a committee of the Church to take an account of Church
stock, which was in the hands of Deacon Dimon. — Notes of Rev. Noah Hohart, Pastor."

In December following Mr. Edward Lewis of Stratford and John
Betts of Norwalk were appointed a committee to see and give their
opinion whether the meeting-house at Fairfield was worth repairing.
They undoubtedly thought it was, and the major part of the society evi-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 248.

126 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i739

dently agreed with them, for they " voted to put in ncAV sills, two tiles
between the posts, excepting where the doors are & that square where
the pulpit is dark. The meeting-house to be covered with white wood
sidings; the seats to be put closer together; & pews to be built in con-
venient places, & to be sold to pay for these repairs."

Who should be allowed to occupy the new square, high-backed
pews became a serious question among the Fairfielders, and resulted
in a committee being called in from Norwalk and Stratford, " to de-
termine who had the most right to them and what price should be
paid for them. Their decision did not satisfy, however, some having
been left without pews; consequently, they proceeded to build pews
"something like them" on their own responsibility; the Society or-
dered them " to be removed & such persons to be hereafter prose-
cuted." It was " voted that no person should hire a pew who was not
the head of a family; that no one should hire more than one, and that
no one should bid for one unless he belonged to Mr. Hobart's meeting."*

At the meeting of the Assembly in New Haven, October nth, Ser-
geant John Read was commissioned captain, Mr. Stephen Burr lieu-
tenant and Mr. Samuel Sandford ensign " for the train-band of the parish
of Reading, in the town of Fairfield." t

A threatened war between England and Spain led the Assembly to
place the colony on an organized war basis. Governor Joseph Talcott
was " for the time being " made Captain-General, and Deputy Governor
Jonathan Laws Lieutenant-General of the military forces of the colony.
All the military companies were to be gathered into regiments. Thir-
teen regiments were formed in the colony. The companies of Fairfield,
Stratford, Danbury and Newtown were to be distinguished by the name
of " The Fourth Regiment." Each regiment was to have a Colonel, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel and a Major, to be commanded by the Governor.
Regiments found without cavalry were to form a troop of Jiorsc not to
exceed sixty-four men. under the direction of the chic'f ofliccr, who was
also to assist them in the choice of their officers and refer their selec-
tions to the General Assembly for approval and commission. John Burr
was appointed and commissioned Colonel by the Assembly; Edmund
Lewis, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Andrew liurr Major of the Fourth Regi-
ment.:}:

* Fairfiuld Parish Record. f Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. VIII, p. 260.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 279.

1739] GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD 1 2/

The colonial laws of interstate estates had not met with the approval
of England. A committee was appointed to assist the Governor in pre-
paring an address to be set before the king. Major John Burr was re-
quested to take out the necessary topics in the Probate Court of Fair-
field to be sent to the king.*

For the defence of New London and the seacoast towns, ten good
cannon were ordered for the battery there, also eight carriages and eight
swivel guns, suitable to furnish a sloop of seventy tons. The sum of
eleven hundred pounds was granted out of the colony treasury for per-
fecting this order. Fairfield should have been defended in like manner,
being too remote from New London to receive much benefit from either
her fortifications or her small armed vessel.

The expected war between England and Spain reached a climax be-
fore the year closed, as England declared war against Spain October 23,

1739-

Officers were appointed in each town to call forth and examine the
arms and ammunition of those by law obliged to bear arms, and make
a report to the major of each regiment.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at iZ7^79Z 7^- 9^-

* Col, Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 283.

CHAPTER XI
1740— 1750

WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN

Religious awakening. — Rev. George Whitefield. — New Lights. — Revivals. — Assistants and depu-
ties of 1740. — Proclamation of war. — Soldiers raised. — Bills of credit issued. — Ta.\es laid. —
Stratfield exempt from Fairfield school and ministers' taxes. — New Fairfield meeting-house. —
Incorporated a town. — Hemp, canvas, and linen. — Bills of credit. — Volunteers for war. —
Deserters punished. — Military officers. — Colonial laws sent to England. — 1741. — Expedition
against West Indies. — Colony and military officers. — Embargo on grain, etc. — Military pre-
parations.— Sale of western lands for schools. — Prayers for King and Royal family. — Fresh
troops sent to Cuba. — Sloop Defence. — Invasion of Georgia. — Rev. Daniel Chapman's death.
— 1742. — Colony and military officers. — Probate seal. — College license. — License for ministers.

— Old Lights and New Lights. — Church of England convention at Fairfield. — Green's Farms
meeting-house, seatings, and bell. — Reading meeting-house. — Greenfield Hill meeting-house.
— 1743. — Colonial and military officers. — Ecclesiastical law for dissenters. — Fourth Regiment
officers. — Preparations for war. — Fairfield taxes. — 1744. — Political and military officers. —
Superior Court at Fairfield. — War between England and France. — Military officers and troops
raised to assist New York. — Powder money tax. — Friendly Indian badges. — Punishment for
officers and soldiers. — Fairfield doomed. — 1745. — French expedition against Louisburg. —
Assembly of February. — Expedition against Cape Breton and neighborhood. — Volunteers
raised. — Sloop Defence and transports prepared. — Major Andrew Burr. — Colonel of forces. —
April 3d a fast day. — Bills of credit issued. — Political and military officers. — Reinforcements. —
Bills of credit issued. — Commanding officers. — Commodore Warren's course. — Expedition
sailed. — Orders from England. — Louisburg and Cape Breton taken. — Great rejoicing in col-
onies.— Valuable prizes. — Fisheries preserved. — Col. Andrew Burr's regiment maintained at
Louisburg. — Connecticut requests share in prize money, etc. — 1746. — England resolved to
conquer Canada, and France to retake her possessions. — Officers of the civil and military
appointments. — Care of disabled soldiers. — Fresh officers and soldiers raised to attack Canada.

— Day of fasting and prayer ordered. — Bills of credit. — Troops to protect frontier towns. —
Expedition against Crown Point. — P'rench fleet. — Alarm on New England coast. — Disasters
and failure of French fleet. — New England dissatisfied and alienated from England. — Enter-
prise and bravery of Fairfield men and women. — Political and military officers. — Protection of
currency, trade, and lumber. — Bounty to Indian allies. — Oath of allegiance and supremacy. —
Estates of Fairfield. — Agreement to defend English colonies. — French attack on English pos-
sessions and failure. — Indian depredations. — Ecclesiastical affairs. — 174S. — Political and mili-
tary officers. — Rev. Henry Caner goes to Boston. — Rev. Joseph Lamson. — Death of Rev.
Samuel Cook. — Rev. Lyman Hall. — New church. — Cross-highway. — St. John's Church, Strat-
field.— Reading meeting-house. — Rev. Mr. Beach. — Death of Rev. Mr. Hunn. — New Fair-
field's tax for church. — Tax for Yale College. — Ecclesiastical laws. — 1749. — Political and
military officers. — Treaty of peace between England, France, and Spain. — Louisburg ceded
back to France. — Depreciation of currency. — England called upon for assistance and rcim-

i74o] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 1 29

biirsement. — Taxes raised to pay England's war expenses. — Heavy tax on Fairfield. — Indian
Sagamore Chicken deeded his land at Reading.

1740. Stirring events prevailed both in church and state at thi.s
time. In the estabHshed church of the colony, where a cold indifference
had been manifested in many parishes, to the great sorrow of their lead-
ing ministers and officers, a general religious awakening now took place.
This awakening was begun in 1735, at Northampton, Massachusetts, in
the parish of the distinguished Rev. Jonathan Edwards, was rekindled at
this time and spread over almost all parts of Connecticut. " It extended
to old & young, to gray-haired sinners, who had long accustomed them-
selves to sin, & grown old in their iniquities; & even to little children.
Negroes & Indians were touched with the spirit of inquiry for the welfare
of their souls. The young people forsook their thoughtless pleasures,
& sought the hallowed duties of the Sabbath. The neglected places of
worship were sought out by all classes, not only on the Lord's day, but
on lecture days. Sometimes the itinerant preachers were followed by
a multitude of people from town to town. Many extraordinary instances
are related of the conversions which took place at Enfield, under the
preaching of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards."*

It was about this time that the Rev. George Whitefield visited some
of the New England towns. He had been ordained in the Church of
England, and in 1738 had preached with great power in some of the
southern American colonies, and afterwards in England and Scotland.
He landed, on this his second visit to America, at Philadelphia in the
early part of November, 1739. People from all quarters flocked to hear
him. After spending a few days in Philadelphia, he accepted an invita-
tion from several gentlemen in New York to visit that city, where he
preached eight times with great effect. On his return to Philadelphia
he preached in the principal cities and towns of New Jersey. From
Philadelphia he proceeded to Georgia by land, preaching on the way
as he traveled from place to place. The following description of Mr.
Whitefield is given by Dr. Trumbull :

"He is of a sprightly, cheerful temper; acts & moves with great agility & life. The
endowments of his mind are very uncoinmon, his wit is quick & piercing, his imagination
lively & florid ; & both, as far as I can discern, undeT the direction of an exact & solid
judgment. He has a most ready memory, & I think speaks entirely without notes. He
has a clear & musical voice, & a wonderful command of it. He uses much gesture, but

* Trumbull's Hist, Conn., Vol. II, p. 143.

I30

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^740

with great propriety. Every accent of his voice, every motion of his body speaks, & both
are natural & unaffected. If his delivery is the product of art, it is certainly the perfection
of it; for it is entirely concealed. He has great mastery of words, but studies much plain-
ness of speech.

His doctrine is right sterling; I mean perfectly agreeable to the articles of the
Church of England, to which he often appeals for the truth of it. He loudly proclaims
all men by nature to be under sin, & obnoxious to the wrath & curse of God. He main-
tains the absolute necessity of supernatural grace to bring men out of this state. He asserts
the righteousness of Christ to be the alone cause of justification of a sinner; that this is
received by faith ; & that this faith is the gift of God ; & that where faith is wrought, it
brings the sinner, under the deepest sense of his guilt & unworthiness, to the footstool of
sovereign grace, to accept of mercy as the free gift of God, only for Christ's sake. He
asserts the absolute necessity of the new birth : This new production is solely the work
of God's blessed spirit : That wherever it is wrought it is a permanent & abiding principle.
& that the gates of hell shall never prevail against it."

His preaching at Boston delighted the Rev. Messrs. Coleman, Cooper, Sewell &
Prince. The assemblies, which at first were small, soon became so large that there was
no church or building of sufficient size to contain them ; & he often preached on the
common. He extended his visits to the neighboring towns & villages. It was supposed
that his hearers at his last sermon, when he took leave of the town, were not less than
twenty thousand.

Upon leaving Boston he went to Northampton, preaching his way in all the principal
towns in Massachusetts. He was received with great joy by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards ;
& his preaching had a remarkable effect upon the people of Northampton.

" Many cried out & sunk down under awakenings ; others were overcome with joy, &
fainted under the views which they had of the exceeding glory & excellency of their
Saviour. & of divine truths & beauties."

From Northampton Mr. Whitefield preached in several of the Con-
necticut towns. On the 23d of October he reached New Haven. As
the General Assembly was in session, he remained in that city over Sun-
day, and preached daily to large and deeply interested gatherings.

Leaving New Haven, he preached at Milford, Stratford, Fairfield,
Norwalk. Stamford and other places, arriving in New York on the 13th
of October.

A large number of the ministers in the Congregational and Presby-
terian churches approved of Mr. Whitefield's style of preaching, but
there were some greatly opposed to him. Among those who favored
the religious revival in the counties of Fairfield and Litchfield were the
Rev. Mr. Mills of Ripton. Graham of Woodbury, Farrand of Canaan and
Bellamy of Bethlehem. The missionaries of the Clun-ch of England were
in every way opposed to revivals of any kind.

The Rev. Mr. Caner wrote from Fairfield to the Secretary of the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel:

1740] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN I3I

" Enthusiasm has made no progress in Fairfield, & the effect of it at Stamford,
Norwalk, Ridgefield &c, where it has a large spread, has been the reconciling many sober
& considerate people to the Communion of our Church. In order to prevent as much as
possible the spreading of enthusiasm, both now & hereafter among us, I have applied
myself closely to catechizing both young & old, who do not appear to have sufficiently
digested the grounds of our most holy faith ; the catechumens being divided into three
classes, are examined & instructed according to their several improvements every Lord's
day after sermon in the afternoon."

The spirit of revival was carried on, however, after Mr. Whitefield
left New England by several of the Congregational and Presbyterian
ministers. Dr. Trumbull states, " This glorious work of God which has
effected such a wonderful reformation of manners through the country,
was marred & greatly injured by many imprudencies & irregularities; &
was most violently opposed by ministers, by magistrates, by cruel & per-
secuting laws, by reproach & misrepresentation, & all other ways &
means, which its adversaries could invent."

Many exhorters sprang up among the people of the colony after
Mr. Whitefield's visit, particularly at New London and Windham, who
were governed by impulse and imaginary insight into the spiritual con-
dition of men's souls, even going so far as to pretend to know who were
converted and who were not. A description of the manner in which
these routers or nczv ligJits, as they were called, proceeded is given by the
Rev. Mr. Punderson, a clergyman of the Church of England settled at
New Groton. His letter is dated December 12, 1741, and addressed to
the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Of these
men he thus wrote :

" There have been a great number of vagrant preachers, the most remarkable of
whom is Mr. Davenport of Long Island, who came to New London in July, proclaiming
your ministers unconverted ; & by his boisterous behaviour & vehement crying, ' Come to
Jesus,' many were struck, as the phrase is, & made the most terrible & affecting noise,
that was heard a mile from the place. He came to this society, acted in the same manner
five days; was followed by innumerable [people] ; some could not endure the house, saying,
that it sounded more like the infernal regions than the place of worshipping the God of
Heaven ; after the amazing horror & distress that seized them, they received comfort (as
they term it). Five or six of these young men in the society are continually going about,
converting, as they call it, their fellow men ; two of these act as their minister so they
affirm. Their meetings are almost every night, in this & the neighboring parishes, & the
most astonishing effects attend them : screeching, faintings, convulsions, visions, apparent
death for 20 or 30 hours, actual possession with evil spirits, as they own themselves. The
.spirit in all is remarkably bitter against the Church of England. Two who were struck,
& proceeded in this way of exhorting & praying, until actually possessed, came to me, &
asked the same questions: Are you born again F Have you the witness of the spirit? &c;

132 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD I '7-10

& as they all do, used the same texts of Scripture, taught by the same doctrines; called
on Beelzebub, the prince of devils; & in their possession, burnt about £1,200. They have
since been to me, & asked my forgiveness ; & bless God that He has restored them to the
spirit of a sound mind."

April 20, 1743, the Rev. Mr. Beach of Reading reported to the Honor-
able Society in England :

" My people are not at all shaken, but rather confirmed in their principles by the
spirit of enthusiasm that rages among the Independents about us, & many of the dis-
senters observing how steadfast our people are in their faith & practice, have conceived a
better opinion of our Church then they formerly had. . . . There is scarcely a town m
which there is not a considerable number professing themselves of the Church of England,
& very desirous of having it settled among them, but God only knows when & how they
can be provided for. Were there in this country but one of the Episcopal order, to whom
young men might apply for ordination, without the expense & danger of a voyage to
England, many of our towns might be supplied, which now must remain destitute, num-
bers of serious people of our Church lamenting their unhappiness, that they can rarefy
enjoy that worship which they hunger & thirst after, there being so small a number ol
clergymen in this country."

Dr. Trumbull states that Mr. John Davenport of Long Island, having become zealous
beyond measure, came to Connecticut, & preached in many places ; " He gave an un-
restrained liberty to noise & outcry, both of distress & joy in time of divine service. He
promoted both with all his might, raising his voice to the highest pitch, together with the
most violent agitation of body. With his unnatural & violent agitation of the body, he
united a strange singing tone which mightily tended to raise the feelings of the weak &
undiscerning people, & consequently to highten the confusion among the passionate of his
hearers. This odd, disagreeable tuning of the voice, in exercises of devotion, became a
characteristic of the separate preachers. The whole sect was distinguished by this sancti-
monious one. It was Mr. Davenport's manner, when a number had cried out, & there
had been a great agitation of body, to pronounce them tokens of divine favor ;.& what
was still worse, he would declare those pious persons who were subjects of those out-
cries & agitations, to be converted ; or that they had come to Christ ; which were gross &
dangerous errors. Bodily agitations & outcries were no evidences of grace. He was
further the great encourager, if not the first setter up of public exhorters, not restricting
them according to the gospel rule of brotherly exhortation ; but encouraging any who
were reputed to be lively, zealous christians, to exhort publicly in full assemblies, with
ministerial assurance & authority, though altogether raw & unskilled in the word of
righteousness. What is still a more mischievous influence than all the rest, was his
undertaking to examine his brethren in the ministry, as to their spiritual state, & publicly
to decide concerning them, whether they were converted or unconverted. Such as refused
to be examined by him, were certainly denounced as either unconverted, or in a very
doubtful condition. Thus disorder, jealousy & confusion, were sown in the churches. He
represented it as a dreadful thing to hear unconverted ministers ; that their preaching was
worse than poison ; & he warned the people against it.

" At Boston this strange man withdrew from the Holy Communion, because he had
scruples as to the conversion of the officiating minister. He was brought before the General
Court of Mass., & dismissed, as not being of a sound mind. He was soon after expelled
from Connecticut. Many errors sprang up in consequence of the evil seed he had sown;

1740] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 1 33

& a most unhappy division & in several instances separation took place in some of the
churches. A spirit of contempt for revivals was loudly manifested on the part of many,
among whom the very name of revival became offensive. It was termed : ' a distemper
which affected the mind & filled it with unnecessary concern & gloominess ;' by others it
was called the work of the Devil ; by others quakerism, enthusiasm, antinomianism & dis-
traction. They were also called new lights, following an ignis fatuus, which would
lead them to destruction."

Many of the principal ministers, the magistrates & leading gentlemen in the Con-
necticut Colony were bitterly opposed to this new style of preaching, & bent every energy
to suppress it, confining by law the ministers to their individual churches, & keeping, as
far as possible, the over-zealous preachers out of the Colony." *

"The winter of 1740 is said to have been a hard winter at Fairfield.
The ground was covered with snow to the tops of the fences for forty
days. It did not snow the least on the sunny side of the house & snow
fell about the middle of December which buried a pair of oxen at the
Old Fort, owned by Samuel Gold. They were found by their breathing
holes. The harbor continued frozen from that time to the middle of
March. Capt. Bostwick & Capt. Dimon were loaded for the West Indies,
sailed just as winter set in. Bostwick was ready, but delaying one night
was frozen in, & had to cart hay to his stock for 3 months. \\'hen'
going out of the Sound he found Dimon returning."t

At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 8th, Judge
John Burr and Judge Ebenezer Silliman were present from Fairfield as
Assistants, and Major Andrew Burr and Captain John Read, Jr., as
deputies. Major Andrew Burr was made Clerk of the House.

Judge John Burr was appointed Judge of the County Courts of Fair-
field, as well as of the Probate Court of the district.

Mr. Samuel Sturgis was made surveyor of the County of Fairfield.

England having declared war against Spain October 23, 1739, two
letters from the Duke of New Castle, one of the King's Secretaries of
State, were laid before the Assembly by Governor Joseph Talcott, order-
ing " an inclosed proclamation of war to be published in the colony
against the Catholic King of Spain, his vassals, & subjects, & also that
an expedition was forming against the Spanish West Indies & dominions
in America."

The Governor, therefore, issued a Proclamation of War. All who
would volunteer to serve in the expedition by his Majesty's command
were to be under Colonel Spotwood until joined by the Engli'^h troops,
after which they were to be under the command of Lord Cathcart. They

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. II., pp. 161, 162. f Wheeler's Journal.

134 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i740

were to be led by officers appointed by the Governor, and to receive his
Majesty's commission; to be supphed with arms and clothing; to be paid
by his Majesty, and to share in the booty taken from the enemy; that
they should be sent back to their homes when the expedition was over,
and that those who enhsted and actually served (not exceeding five hun-
dred men) should have five pounds each, a premium paid to them out
of the colony treasury.*

Four thousand pounds of bills of credit was ordered to be struck off
from ten shillings to five pounds, on the ficzv plates, bearing the date of
the assembly, and signed by the Governor and a committee appointed
to execute this order. This money was to be paid into the hands of the
colony treasurer for the encouragement of volunteer soldiers to enlist
for the war with Spain. For the repayment of this issue a tax was laid
of four thousand two hundred pounds on all taxable estates of the colony, t

Upon the memorial of John Edwards and others of the parish of
Stratfield of the inconvenience of attending church at their society meet-
ing-house in the winter and spring, and at their school-house, which
the said parish obliged them to maintain, and also help support the school
therein kept, and praying to be released of this burden, the Assembly
granted their petition, and " exempted them from paying anything to-
wards the support of said parish-school & school-house, & that they may
have a school among themselves, & have their share of the mone^- to
support the school." They were also freed from paying anything towards
the ministerial charges of said Society for three months and a half yearly,
for five years.:}:

Upon a memorial of the inhabitants of New Fairfield praying for lib-
erty to erect a meeting-house, and for a tax upon the unimproved lands
of said town " south of said seven mile line across said town,'' the As-
sembly ordered that there should be a tax of four pence per acre laid out
for four years next coming; and appointed a committee to fix a place for
the meeting-house. Major Andrew Burr of Fairfield was appointed to
collect the tax, and improve the same towards building a meeting-house
and settling a minister there. New Fairfield, which had been annexed
to Fairfield County in I/2H, was named in 1740, and regularly incor-
porated as a town with full town and parish privileges.^ The town was
by this vote divided into two parishes. It was not, however, until two

* Col. Kcc Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 2()(). f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII. p. 295.

X Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 300. § Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. 8, p. 303.

1740] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FINANCE AND SPAIN 1 35

years after that a minister was settled in either parish, wlien the Rev.
Benijah Case was elected in the lower parish and ordained November 9.
1742. The parish in the upper seven miles, two years later, elected the
Rev. Thomas Lewis, who was ordained May 23. 1744.

The fortifications were ordered to be repaired at Saybrook. and £100
was granted for the repairs and mounting suitable guns and supplies of
ammunition.

The act passed in 1734 for raising' hemp and making canvas and fine
linen, having proved profitable, the Assembly ordered a continuation of
this act for five years longer.*

An act was passed for printing thirty thousand pounds in new bills
of credit towards meeting the necessary preparations for a proper de-
fence of our borders, seacoasts and navigation and the expenses of the
war with the Spanish West Indies, " which bills shall be stamped whh
such stamps as the Governor & Council shall direct. & signed by a com-
mittee of this Assembly." Eight thousand pounds of this issue was or-
dered to be stamped without delay to pay the immediate debts of the
colony; to redeem which a tax of eight thousand four hundred pounds
was levied on all taxable estates in the colony, to be collected within
the term of five years, in five equal payments. The remaining twenty-
two thousand pounds were to be loaned to the inhabitants of the towns
with ample security, and to be repaid to the colony in bills, silver or gold,
or in good water-rotten hemp, and well wrought canvas or duck, or for
making linen. Bonds were required for this loan, and committees ap-
pointed in each town to loan and take security for the same. No planter
was allowed to borrow more than one hundred or less than twenty-five
pounds. Interest on this loan was at the rate of three per cent, per
annum, in silver or gold only. Major Andrew Burr and Mr. Thaddeus
Burr were appointed a committee to loan out these bills of credit in Fair-
field County.t

A special meeting of the Assembly took place at Hartford, July 8th,
when Ebenezer Silliman was present as an Assistant, and Major John
Burr as deputy for Fairfield. The object of this extra session was to
make preparations for an expedition against the Spanish West Indies,
Porto Bello, Carthagena and Cuba. The Governor forthwith issued a
proclamation calling for volunteers. Major Andrew Burr was appointed
to enroll the names of volunteers for Fairfield County.

* Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 31S. f <^"ol- I-^^C- Conn., Vol. 8, pp. 318-327.

136 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1740

Another issue of fifteen thousand pounds of new tenor bills of credit
was voted by the Assembly.

Five thousand pounds of this issue was to be lodged in the hands of
the treasurer, to exchange for all true bills struck on any plates made
before the year 1733, and such torn bills as were not fit for use, and the
remaining ten thousand used towards paying the public debts; to redeem
which a tax of ten thousand five hundred pounds was levied on all polls
and taxable estate in the colony, to be paid into the treasury on or before
August, 1750.

A vessel of seventy-eight or one hundred tons was ordered .to be
fitted out without delay.

The usual meeting of the Assembly took place in New Haven, Octo-
ber 9th.

An act was passed for punishing deserters of the army.

Mn:jor Andrew Burr was granted forty-six pounds five shillings and
four pence for his services as commissary. He was also appointed to col-
lect a tax of four pence per acre on all unimproved land at New Fairfield
towards b'jilding a meeting-house and settling a minister there.*

Elnathan Peet was commissioned captain, Daniel Brinsmaid lieutenant
and William Patterson cornet of the troops in the Fourth Regiment.

Still another Assembly was convened at Hartford, November 26th,
to take into consideration and reply to letters from the Lords Commis-
sioners of Trade and Plantations to the Governor and his associates, in
which complaints were made of " many indirect practices & illegal cur-
rencies, which had been introduced prejudicial to the trade of his Majesty's
subjects ";, in consequence of which an address was ]M-csented to the
last session of the House of Connnons. that he would be pleased to re-
(juire and conmiand the respective Governors and Plantations in America
efi^ectually to observe the said act of the sixth year of Queen Anne — " &
that none of them may pretend ignorance thereof."

It was resolved by the Asseinl)ly. that a printed book containing the laws of this
government, inclusive of the acts of this session, be prepared & transmitted to their Lord-
ships, by which they might best see the laws that have been made & were in force in the
colony. A letter was also prepared by the Governor & Company, in which they courteously
transmit to them " a collection of the laws that have been made and are in force in the
colony ; & do further acquaint them, that the various late issues of bills of credit were
in compliance with his Majesty's instructions respecting the expedition to the Spanish
West Indies," without which they could not carry out his expectations. That in issuing

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 8, p. 351.

I740] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 1 37

bills of credit, they were by no means influenced in any way prejudicial to his Majesty's
intentions, or to his subjects' trade; but like the other colonies in America, had issued
them for the absolute expenses of the colony. They informed them that they had repealed
the act of May last, by which they had made it obligatory on all persons to take such bills
or bonds.*

An order was passed by the Assembly to the effect " that no bills of
credit notes or other currency should be uttered, vended or passed by
any person whatsoever, which either have been made or shall be made
for a general currency or medium of trade, & emitted on the fund or
credit of any private person or persons, society or company, either in
this or any of the neighboring governments, under penalty that such
person or persons shall forfeit double the sum mentioned on such bills
or notes, etc., " provided the act continues in force until the rising of
the Assembly May next & no longer." f

Meanwhile Great Britain made every possible preparation for the
success of the expedition against the Spanish West Indies, which was
placed under the command of Lord Cathcart. " Twenty-five ships of
the line & frigates, fire ships, bomb catchers & tenders under the com-
mand of Sir Choloner Ogle, besides hospital ships, & ships loaded with
provisions, ammunition & all sorts of war implements, set sail in October
for the West Indies." This fleet formed a junction at Jamaica with Vice-
Admiral Vernon January 9th, when the entire fleet consisted of " twenty-
nine ships of the line, with nearly the same number of frigates, fire ships
& bomb catchers, with ample supplies of provisions & stores, & with
fifteen thousand seamen. The land forces, including the four American
colony regiments, were not less than twelve thousand. Meanwhile Lord
Cathcart had died in the West Indies. Vernon in November had taken
Porto Bello, on the Isthmus of Darien, and demolished its fortifications.
The death of Cathcart was regarded a great blow to the success of the
undertaking, as the chief command of the army fell upon General Went-
worth, a man of a most violent temper and prejudices, and one who pos-
sessed a great hatred for the French. In order to indulge his dislike of
the French, he attempted to intercept a squadron sent out under the
Marquis d'Autin to reinforce the Spaniards. But his venture proved a
failure, as d'Autin had sailed back to France." The winter proved un-
usually severe, and there must have been great suffering among the
troops and sailors of the fleet. General Wentworth, disappointed in his

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII, pp. 352, 356, 361.
t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 8, p. 353.

138 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1741

search for the French fleet, decided to make an assault upon Carthagena,
which was reached about March loth, but during the loss of three months"
time by W'entworth the fortifications had been reinforced by the French.
Both Admiral Vernon and General Wentworth attacked the town from
Aiarcli 10th to the middle of April, demolishing the forts and castle of
the harbor, into which iVdmiral Vernon entered. General Wentworth
made an attack by land, but his troops were obliged to retire, " with a
loss of from four to five hundred men. The expedition succeeded in
destroying six Spanish men of war, eight galleons & some small ships."
In July they sailed for Cuba, and took possession of a fine harbor, but
severe sickness overtook them, which proved a scourge, and all further
hostilities were necessarily suspended. " More than a thousand men
died daily. Of nearly one thousand men from New England, not one
hundred returned. Of five hundred from Massachusetts, fifty only re-
turned."*

Judge Ebenezer Silliman was present at the meeting of the General
Assembly, May 14th, and Major Andrew Burr and Captain Samuel Burr
as deputies. Judge John Burr was made Judge of the District Probate
Court, and of the County Courts of Fairfield.

Mr. Samuel Rowland was commissioned captain, Mr. John Dimon
lieutenant and Mr. John Sherwood ensign of the train-band of the parish
of Stratfield, in the town of Fairfield.

Fearing a famine might occur in the colony, an act was passed to
prevent the exportation of grain, flour and bread-stuffs, except for ships
of war, privateers or merchant vessels in his Majesty's service or sub-
jects; which act was to continue for seventy days after the proclamation
to this efifect was issued.

Every town was ordered to call forth and train its militia and troops
for readiness in case of an invasion from the enemy. Every male from
sixteen to fifty years of age was required to bear arms and duly attend
all musters and military exercises of the respective troops or companies
in which they were enlisted, under the usual penalty prescribed by law. t

It was ordered that the money given for the several towns laid out
in the Western Lands of Connecticut should be disposed of for the
benefit of the public schools in the colony. The selectmen, where there
was but one ecclesiastical society in a town, and where there was more

* 1 riimhiiU's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, p|i. 267, 208.
■f- Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. VIII, pp. 379-3S7.

I74i] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 1 39

than one society the societies' committees were empowered to receive
the bonds and moneys which should be divided and set out to the several
towns and parishes, for the benefit of public schools, and the selectmen
with the committees were ordered to give a receipt of the same to the
Secretary of the colony.

In October six of the new townships had been sold, for which bonds
had been given to the Governor and Company amounting to a consider-
able sum, Joseph Whiting, Jonathan Trumbull, Captain Joseph Pitkin,
Mr. John Richards and Major Andrezv Burr were appointed a committee
to divide and distribute this money to the several towns and parishes of
the established churches of the colony, for the benefit of the public
schools. If any debtor refused, after the bonds were divided, to pay his
bonds or to renew the same, the King's attorney in each county, in the
name of the Governor & Company, was empowered to prosecute the
same. " Provided that the risk & losses that may happen after the i day
of January, 1743, shall not be borne by the government, but by the
towns & parishes, to whom the same bonds thus failing were divided &
distributed."*

At the same time an order was read from the Council held at St.
James Court, January 29, 1740, that in all public services the members
of the royal family should be prayed for, according to the general usage
in England. The Assembly ordered " that obedience be paid to this
order, and a copy of the act be printed and sent to the several churches
in the colony, and by them published in all places of divine worship."

The repeal of the laws passed in October, 1740, in reg-ard to issuing
bills of credit, on private credit, which was to last until the sitting of this
court, was revised to remain in full force until the Assembly should order
otherwise. t

Demand having been made by England for additional recruits to be
sent to Cuba, the Assembly ordered that volunteers be called for, not
to exceed two hundred, with a grant of money to pay their expenses.
The war sloop " Defence," which had been built and armed for the use
of the colony, was ordered to be placed in readiness to convey the re-
cruits prepared to go on this expedition.

Until Spain ceased to claim sovereignty over the American seas,
England resolved " never to make peace with her." Governor Ogel-
thorpe of Georgia fitted out an expedition of regular troops and Indians

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 8, pp. 387-389, 392. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vo., 8, p. 392.

I40 iriSTORV OF FAIRFIELD [i742

against Florida, " but for want of a siifTicient naval force was obliged
to give up the undertaking." The Spaniards in turn invaded Georgia,
but were beaten ofif by the skilful manoeuvers of Ogelthorpe.

During this year the Rev. Daniel Chapman of Green's Farms died.
His life among his congregation had been one of great usefulness and of
general satisfaction. He w^as succeeded soon after by the Rev. Edward
Buckingham of Milford.

1742. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May
13th, Judge Ebenezer Silliman Avas present as an Assistant from Fair-
field, and Major Andrew Burr and Captain Samuel Burr as deputies.
Major Andrew Burr was chosen Speaker of the House.

Judge John Burr w^as chosen Judge of the Fairfield County Courts
and of the Probate Court of the district, and Captain Samuel Burr one
of the auditors of the colony treasurer's accounts.

An act was passed that the Superior Courts, the County Courts and
the Probate Courts of the colony should be provided with a proper seal,
for the use of said courts.*

In order to overcome the evil of unlicensed, ignorant, itinerant min-
isters preaching and teaching in the colony, whereby disturbances and
dissensions had been made, it was made a law :

" That if any ordained minister, or any other licensed person, should enter into any
parish, not under his charge, & preach or exhort to the people, he should be denied &
secluded the benefit of any law of the Colony made for the support of the regular gospel
ministry, unless invited by ministers of parishes, & the major part of their societies, or be
liable to be bound over by an assistant, or justice of the peace, in the sum of one hundred
pounds, or be ' sent as a vagrant person, from constable to constable, out of the bounds of
this colony.' " f

At the meeting of the General Assembly in New Haven, in October,
an act was passed forbidding the erection of any college or public school
than those erected and established by the laws of the colony, without a
special license from the General Assembly for four years.:}: This act was
designed to reach a class of people who called themselves separatists or
Neiv Lights, from the requirements of the established church of the colony
in matters of conscience and belief, as well as the Moravian missionaries,
who had settled in the colony; and also to prevent mischief done by unfit
persons to teach or preach.

* Such a sea! was seen by the .-luthor a few years ajjo in tlie Probate Court of Fairfield,
t Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 454. $ Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 500.

1742] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN I41

The Old Lights generally taught the doctrines of the Church of Eng-
land as contained in the thirty-nine Articles and the doctrines of the West-
minster Catechism. They were willing to baptize the children of those
who owned the Covenant. They favored family religion, and preached
but little on the profound subjects of election, foreordination, free-will
and predestination. They favored cheerful social entertainments, and
balls and dancing when conducted in a proper and becoming manner.
The election ball, when a new minister was elected, was an exceedingly
grand occasion, which even the ministers and all the church dignitaries
and people of state attended. The stately minuet was danced by the
leading matrons and statesmen of the church, and that which was re-
garded but a simple and healthful amusement was counted by them no
sin.

The New Lights, on the other hand, were opposed to children being
baptized on their parents simply owning the Covenant. They preached
frequently on the doctrines of election, foreordination, free-will and pre-
destination. They favored conference meetings in place of family religion,
and were strongly opposed to balls, assemblies and dancing generally.

The clergy of the Church of England in the colony of Connecticut
met at Fairfield in the spring of 1742, and prepared a petition to the
Bishop of London to appoint a commissary to be sent to America. The
Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson was proposed for this office. Their letter to
the Bishop of London was dated Fairfield, August 24, 1742, and signed
by Henry Caner, Samuel Seabury, Ebenezer Punderson, Richard Caner
and John Beach. The commissary, however, was not granted, and the
clergy and laymen of the Church of England were left to hope for this
benefit as something yet to be obtained.

The new church at Green's Farms, which had been raised in 1738
and was now completed, brought the good people into serious trouble^
It appears from the parish records that pews were built around the wall,
in which, according to their social rank, the honorable men of the parish
and their families were to be seated. Acording to the usual custom of
those days, when trouble arose in a parish, disinterested men were called
in to settle the cause in dispute. Here, however, was a far more difficult
question to decide than that of setting out a certain parcel of land upon
which to erect a church. There were persons who felt themselves to be
in every way entitled to an aristocratic pew, who had no pews at all
assigned them.

142 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ['743

Again in 1743 a parish meeting was called & it was: "Put to vote whether or no yt
whereas there is disorder in the meeting-house concerning ye pews, Do appoint Andrew
Burr & Thadeus Burr of Fairfield a committee to regulate sd. pews, by cutting sd. pews
or building more pews in sd. house, or both ; also provided yt if sd. committee do order
more pews to be built, to say who shall have ye same, provided, they build them upon their
own cost." Peace was restored by the addition of a few more pews. Capt. Solomon
Couch was "allowed to sit in tlic public ptw on ye east side of the pulpit, so long as he
sets the psalms."

For twenty years the roll of the drum on the summit of Clapboard
Hill called the Green's Farms planters and their families to meeting, but
in 1743 a bell was provided, no doubt to the delight of all who listened
to its welcome sound.

The people of Reading had also been active in repairing their meeting-house. In 17 10
it was '■ voted to rectify the meeting-house in the following articles, viz. : to put in new-
glass where it is wanted, & to mend the old. To lay some beams in the gallery & double
floor. To fasten the meeting-house doors; to make the stairs up the gallery; to put a rail
on the foreside of the gallery." In 1741 it was '" voted to seat the meeting-house in the
lower part with plain strong seats ;" & in 17.\2 the parish committee were " impowered to
agree with a person to beat the drum, as a signal to call the people together on the Sabbath."

1743. The new meeting-house at Greenfield Hill was also completed.
Here the wisdom of the church members, or the experience which they
derived froin the trouble of their neighbors at Green's Farms, led them
to vote in September " That those persons who had paid the most to-
wards building the meeting-house, shall have pews laid out to them; &
that every man who has a pew laid out shall be at the charge of building
the same."

This plan was carried out, and the following were the list of pew
holders :

Joseph Wheeler, pew No. I. Daniel Burr, No. 10.

Benjamin Banks, No. 2. ' John Gilliert, No. 11.

Joseph Diamond, No. 3. Samuel Bradley, No. 12.

Nathaniel Hull, No. 4. Benjamin Sherwood. No. 13.

Daniel Ikadlcy, No. 5. Heirs of Eliphalet Hull, No. 14.

Benjamin Gilburt, No. 6. Joseph Hill, No. 15.

John Thorp, No. 7. Jabez Wakeman, No. 16.

Joseph Banks, No. 8. David Williams, No. 17.

Samuel Wakeman, No. 9. Samuel Price, No. 18.

In confirmation thereof we have consented to set our hands & seals this 23 day of Sep.

1743-

Committee for assigning the seats,

Andrew Burr
Samitei. Burr
Joseph Wakeman

1743] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN I43

At the same time it was : " Voted that Mr. Samuel Bradley shall get a bell for said
Meeting House, & said bell shall be lodged at the minister's house of said Greenfield."

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 27th. Judge Ebenezer
Silliman was present as an Assistant, and Major Andrew Burr and Cap-
tain Samuel Burr as deputies. Again Major Andrew Burr was chosen
Speaker of the House. Judge John Burr was chosen Judge of the
County Court and of the District Probate Court of Fairfield. Judge
Ebenezer Silliman was also made one of the auditors of the colony
treasury.

Thf>. law passed in May, 1742, for persons who differed from the Es-
tablished Church was repealed, having been found too severe.

It was voted :

" That if any one of his Majesty's subjects shall soberly dissent from the way of
worship & ministry established by the laws of this colony, being protestant inhabitants of
this colony, by applying to this Assembly for relief shall be heard. And such persons as
have any distinguishing character, by which they be known from the presbyterians or
congregationalists, & from the consociated churches established by the laws of this colony,
may expect the indulgence of this Assembly, having first before this Assembly taken the
oaths & subscribed the declaration provided in the Act of Parliament in cases of like
nature." *

At the October session of the Assembly, in New Haven, Joseph
Worster was commissioned lieutenant, Hezekiah Treadwell cornet and
Daniel Sherwood quartermaster of the troops of the Fourth Regiment.

Mr. Daniel Bradley was commissioned ensign of the train-band of
the parish of Greenfield. Mr. Nathaniel Silliman was commissioned lieu-
tenant and Mr. Abraham Morehouse ensign of the first train-band of
Fairfield. t

Although, under the Treaty of Utrecht, the French in 17 13 professed
peace with England, they rendered every possible assistance to Spain.
War seemed, therefore, inevitable with France. The Lords Justices
ordered the colony to be put in the best posture of defence. A com-
mittee of war was appointed to make arrangements for the protection
of the frontiers of the colony. The sloop *' Defence," commanded by
Captain David Worster, was ordered to be made ready, with officers,
men and stores for defending the coast. The fort at New London was
also to be well prepared for defending the coast. Every effort was made
to establish peace with the Indians. The militia of each town were or-
dered to be placed in readiness for marching orders.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 522. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. VIII, p. 544.

144 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i744

An act liaving been passed for the colony expense, the town of Fair-
field on December 19th voted to raise a tax of 2d. on the pound on all
taxable estates.

1744. At the meeting of the General Assembly in Hartford, May
loth, Judge Ebenezer Silliman was present as one of the Assistants, and
Major Andrew Burr and Mr. Thaddeus Burr as deputies from Fairfield.
Major Andrew Burr was again made speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives. Judge John Burr was continued in his of^ce of Judge of the
County and Probate Court of the district of Fairfield.

Mr, Samuel Sherw'ood was commissioned captain, Mr. Benjamin Rum-
sey lieutenant, and Air. Thomas Nash ensign of the train-band of Green's
Farms.*

Danbury was made a Probate Court district for the towns of Dan-
bury, Newtown and New Fairfield, and allowed one judge and one clerk,
from which court all appeals were to be made to the Superior Court at
Fairfield.

Major Joseph Worster was commissioned captain, Mr. FIczekiah
Treadwell lieutenant and Mr. William Hill cornet of the tvoop of horse
of the Fourth Regiment.

War having been declared March 20th by France against Eng-
land and by England the same month against France, the Assembly
ordered the colonels of each regiment to hold themselves in readiness
to protect the forts, towns and places in the colony. By advice from
the Committee of War, two hundred men with officers w'cre ordered
to be raised and to be sent to the assistance of the colony of New
York.

In October an act was passed that all vessels clearing from anv jiort
in the colony or from any jjlace between Philadelphia and Portsmouth
in New Hampshire should pay towards supplying powder for the de-
fence of the New London harbor. Each vessel between ten and fifty tons
was ordered to pay four shillings, betw-een fifty and one hundred tons
eight shillings, and all vessels clearing from more remote parts an in-
creased sum. This was called powder money. t

Badges of recognition for friendly Indians were ordered to be sup-
plied.

Soldiers guilty of mutiny against their oflicers, disobeying their com-
mands, (juarreling, swearing, cursing, lying, stealing or drunkenness were

* Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. 9, pp. 7, 8. f Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 74.

1745] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN I45

" to be punished by running the gauntloop, or riding the wooden horse,
or bein'g put under a guard."*

Fairfield having neglected to send in her list of the polls and taxable
estates, it was resolved, as by law required, that the town of Fairfield
" shall be doomed, & the said town is thereby doomed, & shall set in the
public list the sum of forty thousand pounds." The colony treasurer
was ordered to levy and collect the several rates therein, allowing the
town to draw forty shillings on each thousand pounds for school money, t

1745. Before it was known in New England that war had been de-
clared between France and England, the French had fitted out an expe-
dition from Louisburg and surprised Canso. They then proceeded to
take Annapolis, but that post having been reinforced from Massachusetts,
the attack proved a failure. They continued, however, to harass the
coast settlements, and their men-of-war and privateers to capture many
of our vessels, so that the fishing business was suspended for the sum-
mer. This caused the colonies of New England to resolve to assault and
take Louisburg. and to take it, if possible, before supplies could reach
there from France.

On the 26th of February another session of the Assembly was holden
at Hartford by the advice of the Council of War. to join Massachusetts
in an expedition against Cape Breton and its neighborhood. It was
agreed to raise five hundred volunteers. The sloop " Defence," with
several hired transports, was ordered to be equipped and provisioned as
speedily as possible. Major Andrew Burr was commissioned colonel of
the forces. Captain Simon Lathrop lieutenant-colonel and Captain Isaac
Newton major. The soldiers were divided into eight companies. Mr.
Daniel Bradley of Fairfield was commissioned first lieutenant of a com-
])any in the regiment of foot.

Jonathan Trumbull and the Rev. Elisha Williams were appointed to
visit Massachusetts and confer with the magistrates of that colony as to
the best way to expedite the movements of the expedition, and to re-
port to the Assembly " with all possible speed."

Another session of the Assembly took place March 8th, when Rev.
Elisha Williams was commissioned chaplain, the Hon. William Pepperell
lieutenant-general and the Hon. Roger Wolcott major-general of all the
forces. Surgeons, physicians and commissaries were also appointed.

The third day of. April was, by proclamation of Governor Jonathan

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 76. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. So.

146 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [r745

Laws, appointed a fast, and also the last Wednesday in April, a day of
fasting and prayer to implore the blessing of Almighty God on the
expedition.*

Twenty thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be issued
towards defraying the expenses of the expedition, to be stamped on the
new plates, with the addition of the date of the Assembly, March 14,
1745. A tax of twenty-one thousand pounds was levied on all polls and
taxable estates to refund this order, to be paid into the colony treasury
in four equal payments between May, 1752, and May, 1755, in bills of
new tenor with the advance of twelve pence on the pound, or in silver
at the rate of eight shillings per ounce Troy weight or gold " equivalent." t

The Assembly met again at Hartford, May 9th. Judge Ebenezer
Silliman was present as one of the Assistants, and Captain Samuel Burr
and Mr. Thaddeus Burr as representatives from Fairfield. Mr. Andrew
Burr was appointed Judge of the Fairfield County Court, and Judge
Ebenezer SilHman of the District Probate Court of Fairfield.

John Dimon was commissioned captain, James Beers lieutenant and
Gideon Allen ensign of the second train-band of Fairfield. +

Judge Ebenezer Silliman was appointed one of the Judges of the
Superior Court in the colony.

Nathaniel Silliman was commissioned captain. Abraham ]\Iorehouse
lieutenant and Samuel Wakeman ensign of the first train-band of Fair-
field.g

A company of volunteers was ordered to be raised to protect the
western frontier towns.

Nathan Disborow of Fairfield was granted liberty " to keep a ferry
& build a toll bridge across the salt water lying between the towns
of Fairfield & Norwalk, at a place called the Narrows at the Great
Rock."

Two more companies of volunteers were ordered to be raised to join
in the expedition against Cape Breton. Mr. Jabez Barlow of Fairfield
was commissioned lieutenant of one of the companies.! Judge Ebenezer
Silliman was appointed one of two to provide for and equip them, and
when prepared they were to reinforce the troops of Colonel Andrew
Burr's regiment.*

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 9, p. qq. f ^o'- ^^^c. Conn., Vol. g, pp. gy, 100.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. g, p. 108. J^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol g, p. 108.

I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. g, p. 128. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. g, p. 144.

1745] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN I47

Edmund Lewis, as surveyor of Fairfield County, was appointed to fix
the boundary lines of New Fairfield.*

On the 2d of July the Assembly met at New Haven, when it was
voted that three hundred more able-bodied men and commissioned offi-
cers should be raised and sent on the expedition against Cape Breton to
join Colonel Andrew Burr's regiment. Judge Ebenezer Silliman was
appointed one of four commissaries to provision the three companies for
the expedition for two months from the date of their embarkation; and
also to make further provision for those already away.f

Twenty thousand pounds more was ordered to be issued in new
tenor bills of credit on the colony. A tax of twenty thousand pounds
new tenor was levied on all polls and taxable estates, to be paid into the
treasury May, 1756, and in May, 1759, in silver money at the rate of
eight shillings per ounce Troy weight, sterling alloy, or in gold equiva-
lent.

Meanwhile the troops were placed under Colonel Pepperell as com-
mander-in-chief, and Deputy Governor Roger Wolcott second in com-
mand. Many of the soldiers who went on this expedition were free-
holders and sons of wealthy families who had volunteered from patriotic
motives. They had also been encouraged by their principal officers, who
were men of distinction and wealth. Everything seemed to favor the
undertaking. The winter had been unusually mild. It was found diffi-
cult, however, to obtain provisions for the troops, and, in consequence,
" committees of war were authorized to enter houses, cellars & all places
where food could be found & seize them for the use of the army." X For-
tunately, vessels arrived with many needed articles. Patriotism ran so
high that the people submitted to any measure for the furtherance of
the expedition; in fact, the leading spirits of the colony showed them-
selves willing to make any sacrifice, risk or expense to help towards ac-
complishing the task they had undertaken.

Connecticut and Rhode Island furnished twelve vessels of war, several
of which set sail about the middle of March, to cruise off the harbor
of Louisburg. New England, not possessing sufficient artillery, ten
eighteen-pound cannon were borrowed from Governor Shirley of New
York. In three months the army w-hich had been enlisted was fully
equipped for service. The troops had been ordered to sail from New

I * Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 135. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 148.

I X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 9, p. 150.

148 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i745

London. As the Massachusetts troops embarked March 23d a dispatch
boat, which had been sent out to consult with Commodore Warren, then
in the West Indies, arrived with a reply from him : " that as the expecta-
tion was wholly a colonial affair, & without orders from England, his
squadron having been weakened by the loss of Weymouth, he must be
excused from taking part in the enterprise." His reply was suppressed,
" & the expedition sailed the next morning, as if nothing had happened."
They arrived at Canso April 4th. The New Hampshire troops arrived
April 1st, and Governor Wolcott arrived on the 25th. In all the land
army numbered four thousand troops, " in health & high spirits."

Soon after Commodore Warren received orders from England to sail
with as many ships as he could spare to Massachusetts, to join his Ma-
jesty's service in America. He set sail immediately for Boston, dispatch-
ing an express boat to his other vessels on the seas to join him. The
other ships soon after reached him at Canso. Every New England sol-
dier's heart filled with joy and courage at the sight of so formidable a
fleet. Without delay the entire fleet set sail for Louisburg. Meanwhile
the vessels which had previously been sent to cruise off the harbor had
taken several ships laden with West India provisions. They had also
attacked the *' Renomme," a French ship of thirty-six guns. After a run-
ning fire with the New England vessels, and a vain attempt to enter the
harbor of Louisburg, she set sail for France to carry the intelligence of
what was taking place in America. On her way she fell in with the
Connecticut and Rhode Island vessels, with wdiich she exchanged some
shots, damaging the Rhode Island sloop-of-war, and then continued on
her way to France.

On the 30th of April the fleet, consisting of three thousand two hun-
dred men from Massachusetts, five hundred from Connecticut and three
hundred from Rhode Island, arrived in Chapeaurouge Bay. The French
had had no intimation of this design, having taken the vessels cruising
off the harbor as privateers engaged in fishing and trading.

The French General Bouladrie. with one hundred and fifty men. was
dispatched to oppose the landing of the New England forces; but
General Wolcott. while making a feint at one point, was landing his
forces at another. Bouladrie and his force were soon overpowered, many
of his men killed and himself and others taken prisoners, the remainder
escaping as rapidly as ])ossible l)efore the continued landing of the New
England forces. An attack was made the next morning behind the hills

1745] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN I49

of the northeast harbor by four hundred men, who burned both houses
and stores until within a mile of the grand battery. The smoke prevented
the French from seeing the attacking force, and believing the whole army
was upon them, they deserted the grand battery, which the attacking
forces took possession of without the loss of one man.

Although many difficulties presented themselves in making an attack
upon the town and its fortifications, which were almost impregnable,
nothing daunted, the colonial forces proceeded to drag their cannon,
mortars and ammunition through a morass, into which the horses and
oxen would sink so as to be useless. The soldiers then dragged them
themselves through this morass,' and erected five fascine batteries,
one of which mounted five forty-two pounders, which did great exe-
cution.

Meanwhile the fleet had chased and captured the French ship " Vigi-
lant," commanded by the Marquis de la Maison Forte with five hundred
men on board, and with a large supply of stores for the garrison. This
capture was of great importance, as it not only gave our forces valuable
supplies, but prevented all expectations of further supplies to the French,
thus accelerating the capitulation.

The gigantic labors of the siege decreased the colonial forces, but
fresh naval forces continued to arrive, until " eleven men of war, one
sixty-four, four sixty, one fifty, & five forty guns," stood off the harbor.
It was decided that the ships should now enter the harbor and cooperate
with the land forces in attacking the town.

Meanwhile, such damage had been done to the island battery, to the
east and west gates of the town, the circular battery of sixteen guns, and
the principal battery against the ships, as well as the west flank of the
king's bastion, that upon seeing the preparations for a general attack the
French, feeling wholly unable to cope with the situation, on the fifteenth
of June desired a cessation of hostilities, in order to enter upon articles
of capitulation. On June seventeenth, " after a siege of forty-nine days,
Louisburg with its strong fortifications & its garrison of six hundred
regulars & thirteen hundred militia, with the Island of Cape Breton
was delivered over to the King of England," against whom the captives
were not to bear arms for twelve months.

This capitulation was most fortunate for the colonies, as the besieg-
ing forces needed more men, and were, even with the captured stores of
the " Vigilant," falling short of provisions and military stores.

I50 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i745

Meanwhile the seven or eight hundred recruits, with provisions and
ammunition raised for their rehef, did not arrive before the surrender.

The day after the surrender a severe storm set in, and continued for
ten days. This saved our forces from great suffering, as their tents were
poor and not equal to sheltering them, many men during the siege hav-
ing been forced to lie out upon the ground. Their comfortable quarters
in Louisburg led many to regard all this as most providential.

This was regarded as a remarkable victory, and one of great im-
portance to the country. The colonial troops exhibited a spirit of valor
and endurance which won for them the highest praise. During the
siege only one hundred men were lost by sickness and in storming the
place.

The news of this victory caused great rejoicing throughout all the
colonies, and although New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania had
taken no part in it, " New York contributed three, New Jersey two, &
Pennsylvania four thousand pounds in money & provisions for the sup-
port of the troops."

The loss of Louisburg was regarded by the French as a great blow,
as it was called the American Gibraltar.

The prizes taken by our ships during this expedition were valued at
near a million pounds. Two East India ships captured and one from the
South Sea were valued at six hundred thousand pounds sterling. The
American fisheries were preserved and the trade of the colonies secured.

Meanwhile Duvivoir returned to France to solicit ships and men for
the reduction of Nova Scotia. He was sent back with seven ships of
war for the undertaking; but upon receiving news of the reduction of
Louisburg he returned to France.

An expedition of nine hundred French and Indians from Canada, to
cooperate with this fleet, was prepared by Monsieur Marin, and appeared
before Annapolis, but as no ships arrived he returned to France.

More than five thousand men from New England were engaged in
this undertaking; and " from the time of the surrender of Louisburg
until the twenty-fourth of May, nearly eleven months, it was kept wholly
by the New England troops"; but their numbers were greatly dimin-
ished by sickness. Connecticut sent more than a thousand men.*

A special meeting of the Assembly was held at New Flaven, August
i6th, when it was resolved that three hundred and fifty of Major-General

* TrumhuH's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, pp. 270-283.

1746] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 151

Wolcott's regiment, then under the command of Colonel Andrew Burr,
should be maintained at Louisburg for its protection until June. Judge
Ebenezer Silliman with the other commissaries was ordered to provide
provisions and necessary guns and ammunition for the men, and all
others in the colony who should be sent to protect the fort and town, " &
to impress anything needed under just & reasonable terms."

A letter was addressed to the King by this Assembly praying him
to assist Connecticut in the expenses of sending and maintaining the
forces of this expedition, " for their incredible labors & fatigues, whose
loyalty & resolution is inferior to none," having had no share of the
plunder taken ; whereas the officers and soldiers at sea, both before and.
since the surrender, have shared in great and valuable prizes taken to the
amount of over a million sterling.*

On the loth of October the Assembly met again, when John Sand-
ford was commissioned lieutenant of the train-band of Reading; and
John Sherman lieutenant and Hezekiah Odel ensign of the train-band of
Stratfield.

1746. Flushed with the success of this victory, largely gained by the
New England colonies, England thought only of the conquest of Canada
and conquering everything belonging to France in America. While, on
the other hand, France, burning with rage and humiliation, resolved to
recapture Louisburg and to extend her conquests the whole length of
the New England coast, and in fact from Nova Scotia to Georgia.

England ordered eight battalions of regular troops, which, in con-
junction with the New England forces, should proceed to Louisburg,
and with a squadron under Admiral Warren sail up the St. Lawrence to
Quebec. Between Virginia and New York a force was ordered to be
raised, the headquarters of which should be at Albany, to be placed under
the command of General St. Clair, to march across the country to Mon-
treal. It was left to the colonies to raise about five thousand men.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 8th, and continued by
several adjournments until the 31st of the month. Judge Ebenezer Silli-
man was present as an Assistant, and Colonel Andrew Burr and Captain
Samuel Burr as deputies. Judge Andrew Burr was appointed judge of
the Fairfield County Court and Judge Ebenezer Silliman of the Dis-
trict Probate Court.

A serious dispute having arisen in regard to settling a minister over

* Trunibiiirs Hist. Conn., Vol. IX, pp. 155-162.

152 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i747

the North Parish of Stratford, Judge Ebenezer Silliman. Andrew Burr
and Thaddeus Burr, Esq., were appointed to settle their cHfficulties.*

It was resolved by the Assembly that all such soldiers and sailors
who had or might return from the expedition against Cape Breton
should be provided for, either in some hospital or in their own homes,
at the expense of the colony.

Colonel John Whiting was placed in command of the Connecticut
forces. It was ordered that six hundred able-bodied men or more should
be raised to go on the expedition against Canada, and be equipped as
speedily as possible. Colonel Andrew Burr was made one of six com-
missaries with full power to impress all necessary supplies needed; and
each volunteer was to be paid ten pounds bounty money in old tenor
bills.

The Governor was requested by the Assembly to issue proclamations
" for keeping days of fasting & prayer to Almighty God for His protec-
tion, blessing & assistance in the expedition about to be undertaken
against Canada."

Mr. James Church was commissioned captain of the Fourth Regi-
ment.

Colonel Andrew Burr's name was added to the Council of War.

Another issue of bills of credit to the amount of £20.000 was ordered
to be printed and stamped, and a tax on the polls and taxable estates of
the colony of £21,000 was levied on the towns in the colony, to be paid
into the treasury by May i, 1754. to be paid in bills of credit or in silver
money.

At the meeting of the Assembly. June 19th. it was resolved to raise
and equip one thousand men to go against Canada, as well as to assist
in sending men and Indians to protect the frontier towns.

At the October term of the Assembly £35.000 in bills of credit were
ordered to be struck ofif, for the expenses of the colony, to redeem which
a tax was laid on all the towns of £36.000. The estates of Fairfield were
valued this year at £44.100 14s.

As the winter approached it was not deemed expedient to send the
forces raised until they should be re(|uired, but they were to be furloughed
until ordered to muster in again.

1747. Again the Assembly met, January 28th. at New Haven. Hav-
ing received letters from the Governors of Massachusetts and New York
in regard to an expedition against Crown Point, it was decided, " that as

* <■()!. Kec. Conn., Vol. 9, p. 203.

1747] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN I 53

such an expedition would be attended with great difficulties, hazards &
fatigue, such as would dishearten the troops, & render them unfit for
service : & as they had knowledge that the western & southern troops
were suffering from small pox, which would prove contagious to our
troops, it was therefore thought best to wait until milder weather, & for
a more general agreement for a concerted plan of action ; lest they might
weaken the forces raised, & so displease his Majesty, as well as to be
instrumental in preventing the reduction of Canada.

A letter was drafted and addressed to King George the Second, con-
gratulating his Majesty on the success of his arms against the Popish
pretender, the Duke of Cumberland, over the rebels of Scotland, and
to assure him of the devotion to his cause and kingdom.'''

Meanwhile an expedition from Massachusetts, which had joined with
the troops of Rhode Island, had met with disaster and defeat, f

A fleet which had been sent out under the command of the Duke
D'Anville of three thousand one hundred and thirty land forces, met
only with delay, disaster and the loss of several of their best ships. This,
with want of cooperation with his officers and fleet, caused the enterprise
to end in chagrin and failure.

A part of this fleet under Confians, one of D'Anville's chief officers,
was seen ol¥ the New England coast. Alarmed, and fearing the whole
fleet was about to descend upon the New England towns, the colonists
quickly rallied to the situation. Six thousand troops were sent to rein-,
force Boston and six thousand more were ordered to be raised, and, if
needed, to be sent with all due dispatch to their assistance. The sea-
coast towns were protected by the home militia. Meanwhile the Eng-
lish fleet, under Admiral Listock, was in vain looked for, who was ex-
pected to assist the fleet at Louisburg to defeat the Erench, but Listock's
fleet never arrived.

In this undertaking the French lost two of its admirals, the Duke
D'Anville and D'Estourelle, by violent death. Long and wearisome
voyages and disease and death so thinned their troops as to unfit them
for service; and although the Governor of Canada had planned with their

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, pp. 264, 265.

f Three hundred men from Rhode Island were shipwrecked near Martha's Vineyard. The
New Hampshire troops returned. The Massachusetts troops reached Minos and were there sur-
prised by the French and their Indian allies. About one hundred and sixty men were killed and
taken prisoners. Their captain was killed, which so dispirited the others that they surrendered
and returned home. — Trumbull's Hist. Conn.. Vol. 2, p. 291.

154 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i747

assistance to take Annapolis and Nova Scotia, the mortality among the
soldiers and sailors had been so great as to lead the remaining numbers
and their officers to return to France. On the 13th of October they
sailed for France, meeting only with storms and disaster oh their home-
ward course. " Thus after burying two admirals and nearly half their
men at Chebucto they returned without effecting the least enterprise
against the colonists. Such a succession of disasters as pursued the
French, till they returned, is rarely to be found in the history of human
events."

Disappointed in every expectation from England, and the failure of
an expedition against Crown Point, which had been sent out by the
colonies, followed with an epidemic sickness at Albany, as well as alarm
of the reported arrival of the French fleet, frustrated the design.*

A general murmur of neglect on the part of England arose among
the colonists. Connecticut alone had expended eight thousand pounds
in bills of credit in furthering this undertaking, which took them many
years to redeem. A feeling of alienation to the mother country followed,
and a stronger desire for self-reliance and independence influenced the
minds of many.

Fairfield in all these undertakings gave freely of her strength, both
in men and money. Colonel John Burr, no longer able to enter the field,
carried on vigorous assistance in the town by raising and equipping
troops. The meeting-house green was the scene of frequent musters
for collecting volunteers. Judge Ebenezer Silliman was engaged in his
constant labors in attending the General Assembly, and in his conmiis-
sary duties at home. Samuel Sturges was busy in collecting the taxes
to defray the expenses of the equipment and the bounty money. Colonel
Andrew Burr went with the expedition for the reduction of Louisburg
and returned in safety. Black Rock harbor saw the departure of many
vessels, laden with troops, horses and provisions, to join the fleet at New
London. The mothers and daughters of Fairfield worked with patriotic
fervor in preparing bread and warm clothing for their soldiers, and with
tears of grief saw them depart, and welcomed those who returned with
smiles of joy. Thus, in the school of hard labor and discipline, they were
taught to be brave and strong for all the undertakings of life.

The Assembly met, May 14th, at Hartford. Judge Ebenezer Silli-
man and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants, and Captain

* Trumbuirs Hist. Conn., Vol. II, p. 284-2S8. Ilollistcr's Hist. Conn., Vol. I, p. 410-414.

1747] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 1 55

Samuel Burr and Thaddeus Burr, Esq., as deputies from Fairfield. Eben-
ezer Silliman was chosen to be one of the Judges of the Superior Court
of the colony, and also of the Probate Court of Fairfield. Colonel Anr
drew Burr was chosen Judge of the Fairfield County Courts.

Mr, Daniel Bradley was commissioned captain, Mr. John Bradley
lieutenant, and Mr. David Banks ensign of the fifth train-band of the
town of Fairfield.*

Mr. John Sherwood was commissioned captain, Mr. Hezekiah Odell
lieutenant, and Mr. Samuel Odell ensign of the train-band of the parish
of Stratfield.f

For a more stable currency it was enacted :

" That for the future the bills of public credit of the colony, or silver or gold equiva-
lent to them only, should be received for the payment of jury fees, imposts, duties, excise
& other payments to be made for the use of the colony, except in payment or discharge
of bonds or mortgages heretofore given by the Governor & Company of the colony until
October; when all such contracts made from that date should become null & void."

This act was passed to prevent the circulation of bills of credit from
other colonies," which had seriously depreciated the value of the colony
bills."

For the encouragement of trade in the colony, taxes were exacted
from January, 1748, on all goods, wares and merchandise from the other
colonies in New England, or from New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania, at the rate of five and seven and a half per cent. In case of non-
payment of this duty all goods were to be seized and forfeited, unless the
owner could give good evidence of his readiness to comply with the re-
quirements of the act. Several things, however, of value to the colony
were made exempt from this duty.

If any private person in the colony should, at his own risk, import
goods from Great Britain or Ireland, to be disposed of in the colony,
he was allowed a premium of five pounds out of the public treasury in
bills of credit, according to the value of the invoice presented from the
place of exportation.

Owing to excessive exportation of timber out of the colony to neigh-
boring colonies, to the great damage of ship building and trade with
the West Indies, a heavy tax was laid on all kinds of lumber, and severe
penalties and confiscation were laid upon all infringements of this law. X

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 9, p. 273. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 9, p. 273.

X Col. Rec. Conn., IX, 282-286,

156 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i747

Acts were also passed regulating the fees of the Assistants, deputies
and public officers of the colony, as well as of the wages of officers, sea-
men and soldiers of the army.

Six hundred pounds was ordered to be paid the Indians of the Six
Nations, who should assist in carrying on the present war, " & to further
draw upon the colony treasury £2,000 for their future services as allies
of the colony."

The Assembly met again October 8th, when several members " who
had not taken the oaths provided by acts of Parliament instead of the
oaths of allegiance & supremacy, now took the said oath, & likewise the
oath of abjurgation, & made declaration against popery."*

The estates of Fairfield were rated at £45.973 qs.

Colonel Andrew Burr was appointed to take charge of and keep in
order the arms, accoutrements and ammunition of the officers and sol-
diers raised for the expedition against Canada, in the companies of Cap-
tain Josiah Starr and Captain Joseph Worster.f

Governor Laws laid before the Assembly an agreement made the
previous September with the colonies of Massachusetts, New York and
Connecticut by their commissioners for the defence of the British colo-
nies against foreign foes. This agreement was approved, and to be rati-
fied by the Assembly only as soon as they should learn the views of and
agreement of the other two colonies.

The French having completed their preparations for a fresh attack
upon the British possessions in North America and the East Indies. De
la Jonquiere, Governor of Quebec, was placed in command of the North
American fleet, while M. de St. George commanded that of the East
Indies. England sent out Admirals Anson and Warren to pursue them.
They overtook the French squadron May 3d and entered into a spirited
engagement with them, and although the French fought bravely, they
were overpowered and obliged to surrender.

This was a most fortunate victory for the colonists. The French for
a short time gave no further trouble in Nova Scotia. But their Indian
allies gave much troul)lc to the colonists of the northern frontier towns
and islands, specially at St. (Jeorge and Saratoga, as they made frequent
depredations on the settlements of the Connecticut River. Massachusetts
and New Hampshire.

While all these warlike undertakings had been planned and were yet to

* Col. Rec. Conn, IX, 282-292. \ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 9, p. 343.

1747] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 1 57

be carried out, the ecclesiastical prosperity of the colony had also been of
the gravest consideration. Owing to troubles existing between the Old
Lights and the Nczu Lights, and the unhappy excitement caused by itine-
rant preaching, the General Assembly were led to pass such severe laws
as to offend many who regarded them as lacking in Christian charity
towards those who differed from the teaching of the established church.

Throughout the excitement which prevailed in many of the parishes
in Connecticut, Fairfield continued unmoved. The minister and officers
of Christ Church rather strengthened themselves in the bonds of union.
The old church no longer met the demands of its large congregation,
and active measures were set on foot for erecting a new and beautiful
edifice.

The prosperity of the churches throughout the tov/n at this time was
remarkable, for while peace reigned within her borders, many of her
noblest sons had been called away to share the laurels of the expedition
against the Spanish West Indies, Porto Bello, Carthagena, Cuba, the
Floridas and Cape Breton. The Rev. Henry Caner reported to the
Honorable Society in England that Fairfield suffered much from the ef-
fects of these wars. In all the active measures both of church and state
Fairfield was one of the largest contributors of men and means to carry
them out.

The prosperity of the Church of England, not only in Fairfield, but
throughout the county, had been owing to the unwearied faithfulness of
the Rev. Mr. Caner, and deep was the sorrow of many that the needed
rest from years of continual labor now made it necessary that he should
find another field where he might lead a less active life. He received a
call to the rectorship of King's Chapel, Boston, which he accepted.

The Rev. Henry Caner, who had visited England about 1736, was,
upon his return, assisted in his pastoral duties by his brother, Richard
Caner, who was ordained in 1740. Richard Caner w'as a graduate of
Yale College, and afterwards became a school teacher at Fairfield. Be-
sides the duties of a teacher, he frequently walked to Norwalk on Satur-
days, and officiated on the Lord's day as a lay reader, using a form of
prayer extracted from the Church Liturgy and some good, practical
sermon or other plain printed discourse of the Divines of the Church of
England. The parish of Norwalk under his ministry had erected a small
church between 1737 and 1742. He ofificiated in his duties until 1744,
when he was removed from Norwalk to Staten Island, as a reward for

158 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i747

his faithful services in the care of the churches of Northfield, now Weston
and Wilton, Ridgefield and Norwalk, within the extensive cure of his
brother, the Rev. Henry Caner, " the Society's worthy missionary at
Fairfield, Connecticut."

The Rev. Joseph Lamson, a native of Stratford, was chosen as the
successor of the Rev. Mr. Caner. In a letter to the Honorable Society,
Mr. Lamson asked for the same salary that was allowed Mr. Caner, " the
expense of living being much greater than in previous years."

Upon the eve of leaving for Boston the Rev. Henry Caner wrote, in
a letter to England :

Feb. 12, 1747.
" I have long labored under infirmities of body which make it difficult for me to
perform the services required in such an extensive cure as that of Fairfield. The fre-
quent colds I have taken & disorders consequent thereon have made travelling to me
pretty much impracticable. I hope the Honorable Society will indulge the people of Fair-
field in their desire to have Mr. Lamson settled among them. The people are generous
according to their circumstances — I expect to be called upon from Boston Lady day next,*
as I am to continue my labors at Fairfield until May or June. The members of Trinity
Church have purchased a large & convenient house, with suitable accommodations, for a
parsonage — house worth about ii5o sterling; & by the will of a charitable person, Miss
Jcrushia Sturges, lately deceased, they received an addition of £50 of this currency." f

The Rev. Nathaniel Hunn of Reading opened the General Court this
year with the usual annual election sermon. Ebenezer SiUiman, Esq.,
and Mr. Thaddeus Burr were appointed to return the thanks of the As-
sembly for his sermon, desiring a copy thereof, that it might be printed.

On the 2d of December, 1747, the First Congregational Church at
Stratfield met with a sad loss in the death of their minister, the Rev.
Samuel Cooke. In July, 171 5, he received a call to the pastorate of the
First Congregational Church at Stratfield, which he accepted, and in

* March 25th, the Annunciation of tlie Virgin Mary.

f The Rev. Mr. Henry Caner continued to be the rector of King's Chapel, Boston, until 177(1.
And aUhough not then a missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, "he con-
tinued to act as its confidential friend and correspondent, especially in regard to the recommenila-
tion of candidates for holy orders. In 1776 he received the honorary degree of D.D. from the
University of Oxford. In March, 1776, he went from Boston to Halifax, and soon afterwards
sailed for England, where he was received by the Honorable Society with the respect which he so
well deserved. The Society offered him the choice of any of the missions then vacant ; and he was
appointed to Bristol in Rhode Island. And thus, through the changes and chances of life, he
reassumed in his old age a similar employment to that which he undertook in his youth." — Hawkins'
Hist. Notices, p. 247. He died in England, at an advanced age, in 1792. — President Stiles'
Diary, 1793. Hist. Protestant Episcopal Church in America, Bishops Hawkes and Perry, p. 23.
Rev. Nathaniel Cornwall's Hist. Discourse at Southport, Conn., 185 1.

1748] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 1 59

which office he continued for thirty-two years. The house in which he
resided at Stratfield stood opposite that of his predecessor, the Rev.
Charles Chauncey, on the corner of what has since been called Cook's
Lane, and but a short distance from his church.

Mr. Cooke is represented "' to have been a man of great dignity of
character, highly respected by his people, although it has been said that
they stood somewhat in fear of him. He was particularly scrupulous in
matters of dress and personal appearance. He wore a ministerial dress,
which consisted of a heavy curled wig, black coat and small clothes, shoes
with silver buckles, and over all a black gown."*

1748. The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 12th, Judge Eben-
ezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants, and
Mr. Thaddeus and Captain John Burr as deputies from Fairfield.

Colonel Andrew Burr was appointed Judge of the Fairfield County
Court, and Judge Ebenezer Silliman Judge of the District Probate Court.

Mr. Abraham Morehouse was commissioned captain, Mr. Samuel
Wakeman lieutenant, and Mr. David Allen ensign of the first train-band
of Fairfield.

At the October session of the Assembly held at New Haven, Mr.
Samuel Sturges was commissioned captain, Mr. James Smedley lieutenant,
and Mr. Nathaniel Burr, Jr., ensign of the second train-band of Fairfield.

The Rev. Lyman Hall succeeded the Rev. Mr. Cooke at Stratfield.
Mr. Hall was born in Wallingford on the 24th of April, 1724. He gradu-
ated at Yale College in 1747, and studied theology with an uncle in
Cheshire, Conn. He was ordained at Stratfield on the 27th of Septem-
ber, 1749. On account of some trouble arising between Mr. Hall and
his congregation, he left the church at Stratfield on the i8th of July,
1 75 1, took up the study of medicine and became a physician.

Dr. Hall removed to South Carolina in 1752, and before the year closed was in-
duced to settle at Sunbury, in the district of Medway, Georgia. Upon the breaking out
of the Revolution he was living at St. John's, which, being a frontier settlement, rendered
his proximity to the Creek Indians and the royal province of Florida alike dangerous to
his person and property.

The parish of St. John's enlisted with great earnestness and patriotism in the revolu-
tionary spirit against the tyranny of Great Britain. This was not the case, however, with
the majority of the people in Georgia; and in consequence a wide separation in political
sentiments took place between the Georgians and the inhabitants of St. John's. In 1774
Dr. Hall represented the parish of St. John's at Savannah, at which time the friends of
liberty held a general meeting; and again, in 1775, when it was agreed to petition the

* Appendix No. 5.

l6o HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i748

King for a redress of grievances, and for relief from the arbitrary acts of the British
ministry.

On the 15th of July, 1775, the convention of Georgia acceded to the general confederacy
and appointed five delegates to Congress, three of vi^hom attended an adjourned meeting
of that body September 13th, one of whom was Dr. Hall. He was one of the signers of
the Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776; and was annually reelected to Congress
until i7<So. When Georgia fell temporarily into the power of the British, his property
was confiscated, and he removed with his family to the north. In 1782 he returned to
Georgia, and the following year was elected Governor of the State. He remained in this
office until he retired from the cares of public life. He died at his residence in Burk's
County when only about sixty years of age.

" Dr. Hall in his person was tall & well proportioned. In his manners he was easy, &
in his deportment dignified & courteous. He was by nature characterized by a warm &
enthusiastic disposition, which, however, was under the guidance of a sound discretion.
His mind was active & discriminating. Ardent in his own feelings, he possessed the power
of exciting others to action; & though in Congress he acted not so conspicuous a part as
many others, yet his example & his exertions, especially in connection with those of the
inhabitants of the circumscribed parish of St. John's, powerfully contributed to the final
accession of the whole colony of Georgia to the confederacy ; thus presenting, in array
against the mother country, the whole number of her American colonies." *

Still another important step was taken this year towards erecting a
new meeting-house for the Prime Ancient Society at Fairfield, as the
following vote will show :

" Upon the memorial of the first society in Fairfield, praying this Assembly to fix &
establish a place in said society to build a new meeting-house upon as per their memorial
on file : Resolved by this Assembly that the place where the old meeting-house now
stands in said society be & is hereby fixed & established to be the place to build a new
meeting-house upon in said .society for divine worship."

This vote plainly shows that Christ Chin-ch, where our forefathers
worshiped, is precisely the spot upon which that church still stands.

A school-house was at this time set on foot for the children of Cross
Highway, which lies betw^een Green's Farms and Greenfield Hill.

The churchmen of Stratfield had increased in such numbers that they
also erected a church, giving it the name of St. John's Church. This
edifice stood on the corner of Church Lane and North Avenue, on the
King's Highway, a short distance from the new Congregational church,
which stood on the corner of Park and North Avenues.

Mr. Lamson, whose cure extended from Stratford to Rye. and in-
cluded the parishes of Ridgefield and Norwalk and the other Church of
England parishes, also officiated at St. John's. In a letter to the Secre-
tary of the Honorable Society in England, he thus wrote:

* Lives of tlic Signers of tlie Declaration of IndepuiKlcnce, by Cliarlcs A. Goodrich.

1748] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN l6l

" I have formerly mentioned a church building at Stratfield, a village within the
bounds of Fairfield, in which they are very urgent to have me officiate every third Sunday,
because we have a large congregation when I preach there. The people living in the
town & westward are very much against it, because Mr. Caner used to keep steadily to
the church in town ; but then there was neither church nor congregation at Stratfield."

Mr. Lamson was unable, however, to officiate more than one Sunday
every month for some years.

Colonel John Burr became one of the most zealous and generous
supporters of St. John's.

The good people of Reading also felt the necessity of building a new
meeting-house. Lieutenant Joseph Sandford was appointed to present
a memorial to the General Assembly, " praying for a committee to ascer-
tain & fix a place for the new meeting-house." The Assembly of May,
1748, appointed Captain Thomas Tousey of Newtown, Mr. Thomas
Benedict and Captain Josiah Starr of Danbury as a committee " to repair
to said society & notify & hear the parties, view their circumstances &
affix the place whereon said meeting-house should be built." To act with
these gentlemen, the society appointed as a parish committee John Read.
Stephen Burr, Josiah Sandford and Ephraim Jackson.*

The Rev. Mr. Beach reported to the Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel that he had baptized about sixty or seventy children at Read-
ing in one year, and that he had " about four hundred hearers, sober,
righteous & godly." He also mentioned " having baptized negro slaves,
some of whom were communicants, who appeared to be sincere chris-
tians." " Our Church," he wrote, " like the house of David waxes
stronger & stronger."

Tlie Rev. Mr. Hunn, who had served the Congregationalists of Read-
ing as a faithful and honored pastor, did not live to see the new church
erected. He was taken ill and died while traveling in the fall of 1749.
His remains were buried in Boston. He added to his church ninety-two
members during his pastorate, performed thirty-five marriages and one
hundred and ninety-two baptisms, t

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 9, p. 381.

f Ruth Ilunn, the widow of the Rev. Nathaniel Hunn, died in 1766, and was buried near her
brother, Col. John Read of Read Manor, in the Reading cemetery, which lies west of the present
parsonage. Ruth Hunn was the daughter of the Hon. John Read who settled at I.onetown, after-
wards Reading in 1714, and who removed to Boston in 1722. She was the sister of Col. John
Read, son of the above John Read of Boston, who succeeded his father in the estate of the Read
Manor at Reading.

The name of Nathaniel Hunn occurs in Savage's Genealogical Dictionary; but he traces no
connection between Nathaniel Hunn of Boston and Nathaniel Hunn of Reading.

1 62 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [J748

The north society of New Fairfield petitioned the General Assembly
through their agent, Ebenezer Hubbell, Esq., praying that a tax might
be levied on all the lands laid out in this society for the suj^port and
settlement of an orthodox minister among them. The Assembly granted
a tax of eight pence per acre in old tenure bills of credit upon the lands
laid out in the north society of New Fairfield, " exclusive of the addi-
tion made to each division to proportion the quality, & that for the term
of four years, to be paid in the month of November annually & improved
for the settlement & support of an orthodox minister in said society, ac-
cording to the establishment of this Colony." Mr. William Barnes of
New Fairfield was appointed to collect this tax and to deliver it annually
to the committee of the society.

The Assembly also granted the sum of four thousand pounds in bills
of credit, old tenor, for finishing the new building for Yale College.

An act was passed at the sitting of the October session of the General
Assembly which was as follows :

"Resolved by this Assembly, That an act pa.ssed in the seventh year of Queen Anne,
entitled, An Act in approbation of the agreement of the reverend elders & messengers of
all the churches in this govcrmncnt, made & concluded at Saybrook 1708, also an act
passed in the thirteenth year of the reign of King George the first, entitled, An Act for
providing how taxes Icxyd on professors of the church of England for the support of the
gospel shall be disposed of, & for exempting said professors from paying any taxes for
building the meeting-houses for the present established churches of the government ; also
an act passed in the second year of King George the second, entitled. An act in addition
to & for the alteration of an act made in the seventh year of the reign of Queen Anne,
entitled an act for the case of such as soberly dissent from the ivay & zvorship & ministry
established by the laws of this government, & also an act passed in the third year of the
reign of King George the second, entitled. An Act concerning the people called Baptists,
be all, with their several titles & dates, printed with the nezv revised laws of the Colony." *

Owing to the injustice of previous acts passed by the .\ssembly, the
Wardens of the Church of England in Fairfield, and all the other Eng-
lish churches in the colony, met at New London and prepared a memo-
rial, praying for relief from the burdensome taxes for the support of the
established churches of the colony; that they might have full parish privi-
leges granted them, and power within themselves to lay their own taxes
within their several parishes for the support of their clergymen, and the
maintenance of catechists or candidates for Holy Orders according to
the practice allowed and apj^roved of by the Society for the Propagation

* Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. 9, p. 497.

1749] WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN 163

of the Gospel, to choose their own collectors, who should collect their
taxes in the same manner as other societies in the colony. This petition,
however, met with so much opposition from the Rev. Mathew Graves
of New London, " who appears to have been a turbulent, tyrannical, self-
seeking lover of power in the English Church, that it was never brought
before the Legislature."

1749. Colonel Andrew Burr and Judge Ebenezer Silliman were pres-
ent as Assistants at the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford on
the nth of May, and Captain John Read and Mr. David Rowland as
deputies from Fairfield.

Ebenezer Silliman was again chosen one of the Judges of the Supe-
rior Court of the colony. Colonel Andrew Burr was made Judge of the
Probate Court of Fairfield.

His Grace the Duke of Bedford, having notified the Governor and
Company of Connecticut that the treaty of peace agreed upon at Aix la
Chapelle between England, France and Spain had been ratified, Gover-
nor Laws ordered a proclamation of this treaty to be proclaimed by the
sheriff of the County of Hartford, at the usual place of military parade
before the State House in Hartford, May i6th.

So great had been the expenses of the colony in sustaining the wars
against Spain and France that the currency had sadly depreciated, and
it was found dif^cult to meet the return payment of the bills of credit
which had been issued from time to time. But hoping that some allow-
ance would be sent from England, the Assembly ordered: "That all
such allowances of sterling money that are made by the Parliament of
Great Britain towards reimbursing the expenses of the Colony in the
late expedition against Cape Breton. & such as should be made for the
expenses of this Colony, in the late intended expedition against Canada,
are hereby fully appropriated & shall be improved for the calHng in, ex-
changing, sinking and discharging of the new outstanding bills of credit
made & issued by this colony."

The Governor was authorized " to draw bills of exchange on our
agent at Great Britain for the standing money that is or shall be paid
into his hands, for reimbursing the colony for the allowances made as
soon as information should reach him that it had been paid in Great
Britain; " and that he should appropriate it towards reimbursing the ex-
penses of the colony; " to receive one half the value thereof in the bills of
public credit of the colony, & the other half in coined sterling silver alloy."

164 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^749

A committee was appointed to receive and make sale of the bills of public credit thus
exchanged from the treasurer, " count, burn & consume them to ashes," and report the
sum or sums thus received to the Assembly. Upon receipt of the silver coin procured for
the bills of exchange vi^hen fully lodged in the hands of the treasurer, he was directed to
pay it out in exchange for the colony bills of credit, bought and redeemed for such ex-
change by the committee, at the same rate that the silver money was received ; and such
bills of credit thus redeemed should be counted by them, and that they should then "burn
& consume them to ashes." But as this reimbursement would not be sufficient to fully
discharge the whole outstanding colony bills of credit, the Assembly granted three taxes
to be levied on all the polls and taxable estates of the colony, one in 1751, the second in
1752, and the third in 1753. Out of these three taxes the sum of nine thousand pounds
new tenor bills in each respective year when received was to be consumed to ashes. A tax
of three pence on the pound was levied on all the polls and taxable estates of the colony
of 1749, 1750 and 1752 to redeem this order. These taxes were to be paid into the treasury
" in new tenor-bills of the colony, or in old tenor-bills equivalent to three shillings and
sixpence in the old tenor for one shilling of the new; or in Spanish milled dollars in pieces
of eight, at thirteen shillings nine pence new tenor each, or in other silver coin or gold
equivalent." * Out of these several taxes Fairfield bore her proportion towards the ex-
penses of Great Britain's war with Spain and France.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £47,018 14s. lod., one
thousand pounds less than those of New Haven, and almost eight thou-
sand pounds more than those of Hartford, f

The Indian Sachem at Reading, at this time called Captain Chicken,
applied to the Assembly for a deed of two hundred acres of land at a
place called Scattacook, laid out to him by Captain John Read October
II, 1748, which he had exchanged for land in Reading, reserved to him-
self at the time he deeded his other lands to Captain Simon Couch. The
Assembly granted that the several pieces of land thus exchanged be
legally confirmed and deeded to Captain Chicken.:}:

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX. p. 447. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX. p. 491.

\. Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 434.

CHAPTER XII
1750 — 1760

FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA

Connecticut soldiers. — Religious dissensions. — Civil and military officers of 1750. — Money from
England. — English laws introduced. — Reply to English Board of Trade and Plantations. —
Peter Penfield's Mill. — Death of Col. John Burr. — Religious Controversies. — The Church of
England. — New Congregational Church. — Death of Bishop Berkeley. — Civil and military
officers of 1751. — French projects in America. — Persecution of English traders. — Connecticut
alliance with Six Nations. — Form of prayer for King George II. — Baptists at .Stratfield. —
Stratfield bounds enlarged. — Civil and military officers of 1752. — Grammar Schools. — School
lands. — Law for Sabbath Day. — Civil and military officers of 1753. — Tax for Colony expenses. —
Houses of Correction. — Epidemic. — Tobacco. — War preparations. — Flax water-machine. —
New Style calendar. — Congregationalism at Yale College. — Religious controversies increase.
— Civil and military officers of 1754. — English traders murdered by French. — Fort Du Quesne
taken. — Colonel Washington. — Connecticut petitions England for assistance and protection. —
Grand council of war at Albany. — Combination of colonies under one president. — Plan of
X Great Britain for taxing colonies. — Religious controversy. — Donations of Bishop Berkeley and
Governor Yale to Yale College. — King's College. — President Johnson. — Liberal response to
King's requirements. — Bills of Credit. — War tax. — Fairfield War Committee. — Troops for
war. — Reimbursement from England. — Bounty money. — Chief officers. — Colony's full power
to call out troops. — England's act against paper money. — Colony act for paper money. — Civil
and military officers, 1755. — Fast day. — Call for troops from New York. — Expeditions planned
against the French. — French army and navy. — Troops for Crown Point. — Bills of Credit.—
Connecticut officers of Fourth Regiment. — Increase of Bills of Credit and taxes. — Ebenezer
Silliman commissioner to New York. — Arrival of English fleet. — French prizes taken. — Pre-
parations of Gens. Johnson and Lyman on Lake George. — Attack on Johnson's camp. — Defeat
of the French. — Colonel Mocton's victory at Nova Scotia. — General Braddock's defeat at Fort
Du Quesne. — Bravery of Colonel Washington. — Governor Shirley's forces against Niagara
disheartened. — Erected Fort Ontario. — Bravery of Connecticut forces rewarded by King. —
Fairfield parsonage and school lands. — Secret council against the French. — Appeal to King
for money. — Gratuity to Connecticut forces. — Act to preserve Indian friendship. — French
prisoners sent to Fairfield. — Commissioners sent to New York to prosecute the war. — Connec-
ticut preparations. — Crown Point. — Connecticut borrows money. — Taxes to repay it. — Call for
arms and ammunition. — Fairfield Council of War. — Jonathan Trumbull sent to England. —
Civil and military officers of 1756. — Law against bribery in elections. — Long lots. — Loans to
private individuals. — England sends timely money. — P'ast day. — War declared against France,
May i8th. — Preparations to defeat the French at all points. — Inefficient British generals. —
Loss of fort at Oswego. — General Webb's incompetency. — Abercrombie's humiliating delay. —
Industry of colonial troops. — Earl of Loudon in Connecticut. — French and Indian atrocities.
— Gold and silver from England. — Embargo on grain and provisions. — Fast day. — Fresh
troops for Lake George. — Officers of Fourth Regiment. — Earl Loudon's vexatious orders.
— Fairfield parishes. — Weston parish. — Stratfield Baptists. — New Bridge. — Jail bounds. —

l66 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i750

Commissioners to meet at Boston on war, January, 1757. — Collections taken in churches. —
Public lottery for colony expenses. — Civil and military officers of 1757. — Preparation of troops
to march. — Norfield bounds. — Public, shipping, and tea taxes on merchandise and peddlers. —
Lieut.-Col. John Read. — Connecticut's noble response for troops, — Change from Crown Point
to Louisburg — Large forces sent from England. — Expedition relinquished. — French achieve-
ments.— Fort William Henry reduced. — Albany threatened. — Connecticut sends large rein-
forcements— Great distress on frontiers. — English officers disgraced. — Fourth Regiment troops
at Fort Edward. — General Council of War at New York. — Officers promoted. — Fairfield war
taxes. — English soldiers at Fairfield. — Rev. Seth Pomeroy minister at Greenfield. — Baptists at
Stratfield. — King's orders for large army to invade Canada. — Fresh troops raised and Bills of
Credit. — Heavy taxes. — Commissioners. — Embargo on ships. — Military and civil officers of
1758, — British activity. — Connecticut agents to England. — Fairfield agent to Albany. — Fast
day. — British troops at Fairfield. — Lottery. — Supplies for troops at Fort Edward and Station
No. 4. — Roads to Albany. — Bell Foundry. — Troops from England. — Louisburg and St. Johns
taken. — Forts Du Quesne and Frontenac taken. — Abercrombie's defeat at Fort Ticonderoga. —
Besieged and taken by General Bradstreet — Connecticut raises more forces and money. — Fair-
field officers. — David Rowland to assist in counting seven chests of English money. — Civil and
military officers of 1759. — More troops raised. — Brigade major. — English troops quartered at
Fairfield. — Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Isle Aux Noix taken. — Surrender of Quebec. —
Preparations to take Montreal, — Fairfield taxes. — Old Lights and New Lights.

1750. Within the past decade the inhabitants of Fairfield had nobly
borne their share of men and the burdensome expenses levied upon them
during England's wars with Spain and France. The Meeting-house
Green had witnessed many arrivals of volunteers for the war. From
Black Rock harbor the soldiers had embarked for New London to
join the troops from the other Connecticut and Rhode Island towns.
Whatever sorrow had befallen them from death and the return of dis-
abled soldiers they bravely endured, and welcomed with them the return
of peace.

While religious dissensions had distracted and caused bitter contro-
versies, and even persecution, within the colony, a spirit of wise quietude
seems to have continued in Fairfield. The rigor, however, of the acts
passed by the General Assembly to suppress the Calvinistic doctrines of
the New Lights or Separatists from the constitutional laws of the es-
tablished church of the colony continued to rankle in the hearts of many,
and eventually awakened a spirit of controversy even at Fairfield. Lib-
erty of conscience was the common theme of all classes and conditions
of men, and self-government and freedom from the exactions and op-
pressions of England was uppermost in many minds; in fact, all the
American colonies began to realize their own strength and power to cope
with the evils which surrounded and oppressed them.

I750] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 167

At the opening of the General Assembly at Hartford, May loth,
Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as
Assistants, and Captain John Read and Mr. David Rowland as deputies
from Fairfield.

Colonel Andrew Burr and Mr. David Rowland were appointed to
thank the Rev. Noah Hobart for his election sermon, delivered at the
opening of the Assembly, and to desire a copy that it might be printed.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman was appointed one of the Judges of the Supe-
rior Court of the colony. Colonel Andrew Burr was made Judge of the
County Court and of the District Probate Court of Fairfield.

Mr. Joshua Hall was commissioned ensign of the train-band of Read-
ing, and Mr. Daniel Sherwood lieutenant, Daniel Burrit cornet, and Ezra
Hawley quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment of the colony.*

"A vote was passed tliat the sterling money granted by the Parliament of Great
Britain to this Colony, for reimbursing their expenses in taking & securing Cape Breton,
& which may be granted for their expenses in the late expedition against Canada, be sold &
bills of exchange drawn therefore." Fearing some advantage might be taken by non-
residents of the colony, it was enacted : " That no part or sum of the sterling money afore-
said shall be sold to, nor any bill of exchange drawn therefore in favor of, any person who
is not now an inhabitant within this Colony." Persons applying for these bills of exchange
were not permitted to have them unless under oath giving full satisfaction that they
intended using them only on their own or on the proper account of some of the settled in-
habitants of the Colony. The Committee were ordered to sell ten thousand pounds sterling
of these bills of exchange to be drawn in favor of the inhabitants of the Colony, " & to make
& execute proper obligatory bonds, with two good & sufficient sureties, payable to the
Governor & Company of this Colony .... one-half in coined silver sterling alloy,
at the rate of five shillings & four pence per ounce Troy weight, or in standard gold
equivalent; & the other half in the now outstanding bills of credit of this Colony equiva-
lent thereto at or before the first day of May, 1754. with interest at three pounds per
centum per annum thereof, in like silver or gold, which interest shall be secured by several
distinct bonds to be paid the first day of May annually." It was also resolved that the
Governor should " be altogether saved harmless from all manner of costs, damages & ex-
pense that might in any way arise on account of his drawing any bill or bills of exchange
ordered by the Assembly on the non-payment or protesting the same"t

Various question and acts for governing- his Majesty's plantations in
America were presented to the Assembly in a printed form, to be dis-
tributed throughout the colony. The several acts were mostly for the
encouragement and benefit of his Majesty's trade in Great Britain, such
as fisheries, the growth of raw silk in America, the importation of pig
iron from America to England, " & to prevent the erection of any mill

* Col Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p 526. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 510.

l68 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i750

or other engine for slitting or rolling of iron ; or of any plating forge to
work zuith a tilt-hammer; or any furnace for making steel in any of the
said colonies.'' These oppressive acts were not made for the prosperity
of the colonies, but solely for the advantage of English trade, and were
most of them regarded as destructive to the vital interests and existence
of the colonies.*

Andrew Burr was commissioned colonel and Mr. Ebenezer Silliman
major of the Fourth Regiment of the colony.f

Mr. Ebenezer Hubbell was commissioned captain, Mr. Benjamin
Seeley lieutenant, and Mr. Daniel Noble ensign of the north company
train-band of New Fairfield.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £47,561 2s. 2d.

Two hundred and fifty newly printed books of the laws of the colony
were ordered to be distributed to the counties, of which forty-seven were
to be sent to the County of Fairfield.:}:

In reply to the series of questions sent from the Board of Trade and
Plantations in England, a letter was dispatched about this time, in which
a full account of the trade, shipping, manufactures, natural products,
money in circulation, mines, whites, Indians and blacks, military forts
and defences, strength of the neighboring Indians, influence of the French
and Spanish colonies, the revenue and expenses of the colony and the
established military and civil government.

The number of the inhabitants of the colony was represented to be
about 70,000 whites, 500 Indians and 1,000 blacks. The militia about
10,000, from sixteen to fifty years of age. The Indians were represented
to be idle and excessive drinkers, and that the French Canadians and
Indians gave constant alarm from their fort at Crown Point in depreda-
tions on the frontiers of the neighboring colonies.>^

At a town meeting held in March, Peter Penfield was given liberty
to erect a grist mill on Ash-House Creek, near the mouth of the Unquo\Va
River. ||

On the 15th of December the useful, patriotic and valuable life of
Colonel John Burr ended and his eyes closed on the scenes of earth. He
died in his family mansion near the border-line between Stratfield and
Fairfield, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. This place is known as

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, [). 551. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol IX, p. 565.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 5S0. i^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. IX, p. 594.

II I'aiiticld Town Votes.

i75o] FRENXH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 169

the mansion northeast of the New York, New Haven and Hartford RR.,
which will be remembered by many from the grand oak standing on his
grounds, which died from the top downwards, until only the lower
branches for many years sent out its leaves, so touchingly pointing to
the life of its owner, who gave the best energies of his young life to the
ecclesiastical, civil and military interests of the town of Fairfield and to
the Colony of Connecticut, until the vital forces of his brave manhood
gave place to the withering decay of old age. The land about his house
was purchased of the ^Sagamores of the Pequonnock Indians, and it is
said he effected this purchase while standing with them under this grand
old oak. His life was one of great energy and manly dignity in all
the public events of the colony. He was a Christian statesman and sol-
dier, and he died as all such men die, happy in the prospect of a glori-
ous immortality.* He was buried in the old Pequonnock cemetery at
Stratfield.

Fairfield did not wholly escape, even with the well-disciplined and
cultivated Christian education of its inhabitants, something of the spirit
of controversy which disturbed the colony during this year.

They were not a little disturbed on account of a controversy between
the Rev. Noah Hobart and the Rev. Mr. Beach of Reading. Mr. Hobart
published two addresses, " To the Members of the Episcopal Separation
in New England." He argued that he was " under a full conviction that
their separation was unjustifiable in itself, & in its effects very hurtful
to the country, & to the cause of practical religion in it, & that it would,
if it prevailed, prove pernicious to their posterity.

" The Rev. Moses Dickinson, the minister of the Congregational Church at Norwalk,
wrote an appendix to the second address. The Rev. Mr. Whetmore of Rye, the Rev. Dr.
Henry Caner of Boston, & the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson of Stratford, also became cham-
pions on the side of the Church of England. Mr. Hobart & his friends argued that the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts had not confined themselves to
their first pretensions, viz. : that of converting the heathen & Indians in New England,
according to the tenor of their charter, & sending their missionaries here for that purpose.
The ministers of the Church of England, on the other hand, argued that this was not
alone the object of the Honorable Society, but they were also sent to minister to such
people as professed to be members of the Church of England."!

Controversies in those days were carried to great lengths, and party
feeling on both sides was far from being controlled by the grace of charity.

* See I'urr, Appendix Genealogies

f Rev. Noah Hobart's Second Address, p. 6.

I/O HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i750

They no doubt accomplished some good ; but they also did a great deal
of harm.

The new acts of the General Assembly, which obliged all the churches
to be taxed for the support of the established churches of the colony,
were particularly oppressive, and while the New Lights or Calvinists and
the Baptists clamored against them, the ministers and people of the
Church of England sought redress in an appeal made by Rev. Dr. Samuel
Johnson to the Lord Bishop of London, at which time he continued to
urge upon the Bishop the great necessity of a bishop in America. He
begged direction of the Society how to proceed to obtain a title for holy
orders for his young candidates; " whether £30 from the people can be
accepted for a title, & if so, to whom they can apply for orders, since
they have no title from the Society for a long time." ..." They
will, however," he wrote, " in the meantime, do as they best can, & I beg
to be under the societie's direction & control, that if no Bishop should
come over into these parts, we may be advised in time enough for them
to go home in the fall, whether orders can be had upon such a title, and
from whom."

In reply to these importunities the Bishop of London thus wrote to'
Dr. Johnson in the spring of 1752:

" I think myself at present in a very bad situation ; Bishop of a vast country, without
power or influence, or any means of promoting true religion; sequestered from the people
over whom I have the care, & must never hope to see; I should be tempted to throw off
all this care quite, were it not for the sake of preserving even the appearance of an
Episcopal Church in the plantations."

About the same time Dr. Johnson complained to the King of the op-
pressive laws of the colony, and requested an amendment in the Charten
of Charles II.*

" Unfortunately the severe measures taken by the colony," says Dr. Benjamin Trum-
bull, "of enforcing the established church constitution by law, which never was originally
designed, & was undoubtedly inconsistent with the rights of conscience, gave further
ground of disaffection to the constitution of the established church, & of separation from
the standing churches. The shutting out of the zealous & powerful preachers from their
pulpits by numbers of the ministers ; the suspending of persons from the communion of
the churches, for hearing them in other parishes, had a further ill tendency to create dis-
trust in their own ministers as to their real religion & to alienate their minds from them."
At the same time Dr. Trumbull continues to state : " It is also abundantly evident, from the
accounts given of those times, that tliorc was a great defect with respect to the plain &

* Ilist. Prot. Epis. Church in Conn., Uishops Francis L. Hawkes, D.I)., and William Stephen
Perry,

i75o] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 171

faithful preaching of the doctrines of the reformation; of original sin; regeneration, by
the supernatural influences of the Divine Spirit; justification by faith, effectual calling; &
the saints' perseverance. These doctrines were very little preached & insisted on by some
of the clergy. Some were evidently Arminians. Others there were who preached nothing
distinguishing, so that it could not be told what their opinions were. Imprisoning the
separate preachers, & the cruel manner in which they were treated, tended to alienate
them & fix them in their prejudices & separation. With respect to the errors which some
of the separates seemed to hold at first, I do not find, by inquiry, that ever they preached
or propagated them; especially with respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, they preached
nothing, I believe, contrary to sound doctrine. Exclusive of some particulars, more
especially relative to the constitution of churches & church discipline, they maintained the
doctrines contained in the Westminster Catechism & confession of faith."

New England, as well as in other parts of the country, were awakened
to the full consciousness of vital Christianity, and that many were de-
voted followers of the Lord Jesus is fully proved by the writing of our
most reliable historians.

The desire on the part of the established churches of the colony to
enforce by legislative acts their peculiar line of thought upon all classes
made it so plain to many that church and state would not exist under a
republican form of government, that there arose throughout the colony
a strong feeling of opposition against the existence of any established
church whatever. To sever church and state had been the original de-
sign of their forefathers in coming to America. Liberty of conscience
had been their watchword. Scarcely a century had passed when their
descendants found themselves as closely bound to the control of an es-
tablished church as that from which their ancestors had i\ed.

The approaching prospect of a bishop in the colony awakened a spirit
not only of great opposition on the part of the established churches, but
of persecution. The Church of England at Fairfield and Reading was
composed of large numbers of the inhabitants of the town; and while by
no means in numbers equal to those of the established church, they exer-
cised a considerable power among the people. The Covenant of Green's
Farms Congregational church, which undoubtedly was a copy of the
first Covenant of Christ's Church at Fairfield, plainly shows that our
forefathers were bitterly opposed to priestly power; for, while they " sol-
emnly devoted themselves & their seed to the Lord to be His people,"
they added : " avouching Almighty God for our God & portion, avouch-
ing the Lord Jesus Christ for our Prophet & Teacher, & for our only
Priest & Propitiation, & for our only King & Law Giver."

172 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i75i

The severe laws which had so recently been enacted by the legislature
were no doi'bt intended to prevent, if possible, the encroachments and
growing power of the Church of England, as well as to put an end to
any further advancement on the part of the separatists from the estab-
lished church of the colony.

The new Congregational church at Fairfield was completed about
this time, and by the oldest inhabitants of the town is represented as
having been of a much richer style of architecture than that of the pres-
ent church. Its dimensions were 60 by 44 feet, and its height 26 feet,
with a steeple 120 feet high. A bell was soon after furnished, which is
said to have been cast in Fairfield by a jeweler and clockmaker by the
name of Whiting, whose store stood next to the late Judge Osborne's
house. This bell was cast in a lot adjoining that in which the second
Church of England stood, and which was afterwards the site of the Marine
Hotel. This lot was for many years afterwards called the Bell Lot. The
new bell was rung every night at nine o'clock, and also at twelve o'clock
at noon.*

Bishop Berkeley died about this time, in the seventy-third year of
his age. President Clap, sensible of the benevolent spirit of this good
man, thus wrote of him : " This college will always retain a grateful sense
of his generosity and merits."

1 75 1. The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 9th. Judge
Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants,
and Messrs. David Rowland and Thaddeus Burr as deputies from Fair-
field.

Although peace had been declared between Great Britain and France,
and Cape Breton had been ceded to the French under the treaty of Aix la
Chapelle, in 1748, the French fully resolved to keep a strong foothold
in America. They formed a plan to confine the English colonies to the
country east of the Alleghanies, and to stretch a line of forts from Lake
Champlain at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and westward from the
head of the St. Lawrence to the mouth of the Mississippi. They kept
up with their Indian allies a constant harassment to the English border
settlements.

Meanwhile " a company of English gentlemen & planters from West-

* Mr. Whiting afterwards became a partner of Isaac Marquand, the grandfather of Frederic
and Henry Mar<iuand of Southport. One of the old-fashioned tall clocks made by Whiting and
Marquand of Fairfield is now in the possession of Mr. Ebenezer Ikirr of Bridgeport.

t75i] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA I73

minster, London & Virginia, obtained from the crown a charter for
six thousand acres of land on or near the Ohio river.

This step the French resolved to frustrate, as they claimed all the
country from the Mississippi and west of the Alleghanies. They pre-
tended to have discovered the Mississippi, and to secure their claims they
had erected a fort on the south side of Lake Erie, and one about fifteen
miles south of that on a branch of the Ohio river, and still another at the
junction of the Ohio and the Wabash.

The planters of Pennsylvania did not look favorably upon the Ohio
charter, as they had largely controlled the trade with the Indians of that
region, and gave information to the French of their designs.

The Governor of Canada resolved, therefore, to break up this new
enterprise in Ohio. English traders among the Twightwees were seized
and imprisoned at the French fort on Lake Erie, which the Twightwees
resented, being allies of the English traders. They in turn seized the
French traders and sent them to Pennsylvania.

The Indians. of Ohio, not having received any recompense, or even
given consent to the settlement of strangers within their borders, united
with the French to oppose the enterprise.

Governor Wolcott having received a letter from Governor Clinton
of New York to join with him in securing the Four Nations as allies
against the French, the Assembly appointed two commissioners to meet
with Governor Clinton's commissioners and those of other colonies, to
treat with the Indians of the Six Nations and their allies, " to confirm
them in the British interests, & to give a sum of sixty pounds to the repre-
sentatives of the Six Nations."*

At the October session of the Assembly Mr. Samuel Odell was com-
missioned captain, Mr. William Bennet lieutenant, and Mr. Nathan Seeley
ensign of the train-band of Stratfield, and Mr. John Jennings second
lieutenant of the fifth train-band of Fairfield.

A form and order of prayer to be used for the royal family of King
George, was by an order of his Majesty in council, sent " to the Governor
& Company of the Colony, forthwith to publish the same in the several
parish churches & other places of divine worship within the colony, &
to take care that due obedience be paid thereunto." Accordingly, the
Governor and the Assembly ordered that a proclamation be issued which
should be distributed in all the parishes. Among the people of the

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 16.

174 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i75i

Church of England this prayer was acceptable; but among many of the
established church it, no doubt, was far from agreeable. They bent their
necks, however, to the yoke laid upon them; but in their hearts they were
even as their forefathers had been, as much opposed to praying for the
King as they w-ere resolved upon not having a bishop within their bor-
ders. A loud cry for help and protection from the Church of England
was sent to the mother country, whose missionaries reported to the
Honorable Society, " that at this time there are many in several places,
that are at such a distance from any incumbent in orders, that they can-
not have the benefit of the law, & so are imprisoned for non-payment to
dissenters." And again: "there are now some ministers of the Church
of England in prison on account of their persecution from the dissent-
ers; '' to which was added the statement, " these sort of complaints come
by almost every ship."

On the second Lord's day in October a large body of people met at
the house of John Sherwood, in Stratfield, to listen to the Rev. Joshua
Morse, a Baptist preacher, who had been converted under Whitefield,
and who was principally instrumental in gathering a church in that part
of New London called Montville. Pie was not ordained until about 1751.
Six men and four women " gave out a particular relation of the word of
God upon their souls to the satisfaction & comfort of Elder Morse &
each other. Each one particularly gave up himself first to God & to
each other by the will of God, to walk together as heirs of the grace of
life, in all the laws & ordinances of God's house."

"After solemn dedication & prayer to Almighty God, Elder Morse proceeded & went
on in the ordinances of baptism, by plunging under ivater each particular member." The
names of those baptised were Zechariah Mead, Nathaniel Seely, Elihu Marsh, John Sher-
wood, Ebenezcr Sanford, Samuel Beardsley, Elizabeth Seely, Mary Shenvood, Sarah
Beardsley & Martha Jennings. The last named person had been baptized before."

It appears from a " Sketch of the History of the Stratfield Baptist
Church," by the Rev. A. N. Benedict, that this was the first Baptist
Church in Fairfield County. There was no public recognition by dele-
gates from other churches, as at the present time, the nearest Baptist
churches being at New London and Groton.

Mr. Benedict states that this church was formed under great opposi-
tion, " having sprung out of the Nnv LigJits Stir.'' He represents the
Rev. Samuel Cook to have been a strong sympathizer with Mr. White-

1752] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 175

field, and tliat " he labored to secure his presence & preaching among
his people "; but his successor, the Rev. Lyman Hall, proved himself an
opposer of the New Lights, in consequence of which several protested
against him, among whom were those who afterwards united in forming
the Baptist Church. The Baptists at this time were called also Separatists,
because, in order to carry out their religious views, they were obliged
to separate from the established church of the colony.

In October the Society of Stratfield presented a memorial to the
General Assembly praying to have their parish bounds enlarged. Their
petition was granted and the bounds set as follows :

■' Whereas in the setting off the parish of Stratfield, Anno 1701, from the first society
in Fairfield, it so happened that the act of this Assembly in setting off said parish did not
settle & fix the line dividing between the said first society & said parish, any nearer the
southwesterly extent of both said societies than where said line intersects the country
road near Jackson's mill so called, though both said societies have mutually agreed in
their practice of a line dividing between said societies for more than fifty years last past,
which line runs from said country road southerly as the river or creek runs on which said
Jackson's mill stood, commonly known by the name of Oncowa River or creek till it comes
due west from the north end of the cove in the Black Rock harbor, which said cove heads
or terminates at or near the place called the Old Fort, & then to run strait from said
creek to the head of said cove, & so strait to the head of the sea or sound ; & it having thus
long obtained by the mutual consent & practical agreement of each said society, ought still
to continue. And it is ordered to prevent any further difficulties that may arise between
said societies for want of the settlement of said line by act of this Assembly : It is there-
fore resolved & enacted by the Governor, Council & Representatives in General Court
assembled, & by the authority of the same, that the aforementioned & described line from
the county road southerly by said river or creek to the head, & from thence to the sea or
sound, shall be & remain to be the dividing line between the first society in Fairfield &
the said parish of Stratfield." *

1752. The General Assembly met May 14th, at Hartford. Judge
Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants,
and Mr. David Rowland and Captain Samuel Burr deputies from Fair-
field. Captain John Glover was appointed surveyor for the County of
Fairfield. t Ebenezer Silliman was appointed one of the Judges of the
Superior Court, and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County Court
and of the District Probate Court of Fairfield.

Mr. Samuel Sandford was commissioned lieutenant of the train-band
of Reading.^ Mr. Thomas Nash lieutenant, and Mr. Daniel Andrews
ensign of Green's Farms train-band, in the Fourth Regiment. §

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 139, 147. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 75.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 79. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 81.

176 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i753

At the October meeting of the Assembly, in New Haven, ]\Ir. Gold
Sellick Silliman was appointed surveyor for the County of Fairfield.*

Mr. John Jennings was commissioned lieutenant of the fifth train-
band of Fairfield.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £50,743 i.?. 8d.

Mr. David Allen was commissioned lieutenant and Mr. Samuel Hub-
bell ensign of the first train-band of Fairfield.

At a town meeting held June 8th, it was voted that Judge Ebenezer
Silliman and Mr. David Rowland should be a committee to present a
memorial to the General Assembly in October, for an explanation of the
law of this colony respecting keeping and maintaining a grammar school
in each head or county town in this colony. Passed in the af^rmative.

It was also : " Voted that Thaddeus Burr & David Burr should be
a committee to inquire into the state & incumbency of the school-land in
Fairfield, & make a report thereof to the next town meeting."

The General Assembly : " Voted that instead of forty shillings upon
every thousand pounds in the lists of the respective towns in the colony,
by law ordered to be paid for the support of schools, that the treasurer
should pay ten shillings lawful money (which was silver money) upon
every thousand in the several lists, out of the tax rates of three farthings
lawful money, & no more."

They also passed the following law against the growing evil of tra-
veling on the Lord's day :

"Be it enacted by the Governor, Council & Representatives, in the General Court
assembled, & by the authority of the same, that every assistant in this Colony, & every
justice of the peace, within the limits of their authority, are hereby impowered & directed
when they shall have plain view or personal knowledge thereof, either with or without a
written warrant, to cause all persons unnecessarily travelling on the Sabbath or Lord's
day to be apprehended, & to examine them, &, if need be, to command any person or
persons to seize, arrest & secure any such persons unnecessarily travelling on the Lord's
day as aforesaid, & them to hold till judgment may be had tlicreon."f

1753. The General Assembly met at Hartford, May loth. Judge
Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants,
and Mr. David Rowland and Captain Samuel Burr as deputies from
Fairfield. Ebenezer Silliman was appointed one of the Judges of the
Superior Courts of the colony and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of County
Courts and the Probate Court of Fairfield.

* Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 122, 124, 128, f Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. X, p. 45.

1753] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 1 77

A tax of three pence on the pound was levied on all polls and taxable
estates of the towns towards the expenses of the colony.

Houses of correction were ordered to be erected in each county for
punishing " rogues, vagrants, common beggars and other loud, idle, dis-
solute, profane & disorderly persons for setting them to work, & for the
more effectual preventing & punishment of thieves." Persons escaping
from any house of correction were ordered " to be whipped upon the
naked body not exceeding thirty stripes.''*

Mr. Gershom Bradley was commissioned lieutenant and Mr. John
Cable ensign of the seventh train-band of Fairfield. t

The town of Fairfield suffered severely from an epidemic in the
months of July and August, two or three being buried daily from its
ravages, i

At the meeting of the Assembly in October, Colonel John Read of
Reading was commissioned major of the Fourth Regiment of the colony, j^

Mr. Thomas Nash was commissioned captain, Mr. Daniel Andrews
lieutenant and Mr. Dennie Chapman ensign of the Green's Farms train-
band. ||

Courts of arbitration were established at this session of the Assembly.

An act was also passed for curing and packing tobacco. Also an act
to prevent a multiplicity of law suits.

A letter was read before the Assembly from the English Secretary of
State, " directing that the arms & military stores made use of for the
intended expedition against Canada, lodged in the colony, should be sent
to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts." This demand was complied with,
provided Governor Shirley gave a recei})t in full " for said arms & mili-
tary stores as had been lodged in this colony."

The introduction of a " newly invented water machine brought from
Scotland & Ireland for dressing flax, was welcomed by a vote of en-
couragement for fifteen years ; & to be set & used in all of the towns of
the colony. The introduction & control of this machine was to be under
the sole care of Jabez Hamlin & Elihu Chauncey." 1

In the year 1751 Lord Chesterfield, assisted by the Earl of Maccles-
field and Mr. Bradley, two of the ablest mathematicians in Europe, in
troduced into Parliament a bill for the reformation of the calendar. The

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 159. t <^'ol- 1-^ec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 188.

X William Wheeler's Journal of Fairfield. §*Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 198.

II Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 199. 1[ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 231.

178 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i753

Julian or Old Style calendar, then in use, had been corrected by Pope
Gregory XIII. in 1582, and was called the Gregorian calendar or Nczv
Style, and adopted by all the countries on the continent except Sweden
and Russia. The error of the Old Style had grown to eleven days. In
consequence, Chesterfield and his friends arranged to have the year 1753
begin January ist instead of March 21st Old Style, " & nominally sup-
pressing II days in September, 1752, in order to bring the calendar in
unison with the actual state of the solar year." This change, when ac-
cepted by Parliament, displeased many people, who regarded it as popish,
and others felt that they had lost eleven days.

Steps were also taken " to maintain in their soundness the faith &
church theology of the established church in the chief seat of learning,"
and to this end the following resolution and grant was made by the
General Assembly at this time :

" Whereas one principal end proposed in erecting & supporting Yale College in New
Haven was to supply the churches of this Colony with a learned, pious & orthodox minis-
try, to which purpose it is requisite that the students of the said college should have the
best instructions in divinity & the best patterns of preaching set before them : And
whereas the settling a learned, pious & orthodox professor of divinity in the said college
would greatly tend to promote that good end & design : And whereas the present incomes
of the said college are but in part sufficient to support such a professor : This Assembly
being desirous to promote & encourage such a good design, do hereby grant & allow of
& order a general contribution to be made in all the religious societies in this Colony, &
recommend the same to both ministers & people, & order that the money raised thereby
be remitted to the president of said college, to be improved by the corporation towards
the support of such a professor." *

The heavy expenses and consequent taxes laid upon the colonists to
carry on the French war, which soon after commenced, led to a change
in the proposed contrilnitions for the college, and subscri])tions to be
taken in each town were adopted instead, by which the amount desired
was raised, of which Fairfield bore her proportion.

The President and fellows of the college, dreading the effects of the
teachings of the New Lights upon the students, as also the elTorts of the
people that the students of the Church of luigland should attend their
own church, withdrew some of the students from the first society in New
Haven. President Clap was invited to fill the place of a professor of
divinity until that office was fully established, and the students and faculty
from this time attended worship on the Lord's day at the college hall
under the teachings of the President.!

* Col. Kec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 213. f Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2, p. 315.

1753] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 1 79

"At a meeting of the president & fellows of Yale College Nov. 21st, The Rev.
Thomas Clap, President; The Rev. Messrs. Jared Elliot, Joseph Noyes, Antony Stodard,
Benjamin Lord, William Russell, Thomas Ruggles, Solomon Williams, & Noah Hobart
fellows, adopted a series of laws requiring that members of their own body, with the
President, the Professor of Divinity, & Tutors, should give their assent to the West-
minster Catechism & Confession of Faith, & should renounce all doctrines & principles
contrary thereto, & pass through such an examination as the corporation should order." *

The fellows of the college subscribed to the following form : " I, A. B., being chosen
a fellow of Yale College, do hereby declare that I believe that the Assembly catechism &
the confession of faith received & established in the churches of this colony, & in this
college, contain a true & just summary of the most important doctrines of the Christian
religion; & that the true sense of the sacred scriptures is justly collected & summed up
in those compositions. And all expositions of scripture pretending to deduce any doctrine
or position contrary to the said doctrines laid down in those composures, I believe are
wrong & erroneous, & I will always take all reliable measures, & such as christian prudence
may direct in my place & station, to continue & propagate the doctrines contained in those
summaries of religion in this college, & transmit them to all future successions & genera-
tions; & use the like measures to prevent the contrary doctrines from prevailing in this
spciety."

" I do also consent to the rules of Church discipline established in the ecclesiastical
constitution of the churches of this colony."

A fine was imposed upon all students who should attend the Church
of England except communicants, and they only were allowed this privi-
lege on Christmas, and when the Lord's Supper was administered.!

A strong feeling of opposition on the part of many in the colony was
raised against the measures taken by the legislature and officers of the
college. Their laws were regarded by the people of the Church of Eng-
land as harsh and intolerant. Nevertheless, the sons of the Puritans were
firm in their purpose of allowing no other than the established church of
the colony to govern and control its most important institution of
learning.

New controversies sprang up, and a feeling of general disquietude
prevailed in the colony. The ministers of the established church preached
" ^he awful guilt of separating from them," and heaped upon the Church
of England the anathemas of the times. On the other hand, the clergy of
the Church of England maintained their ground by strong arguments,
and, as English missionaries from the Society of the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts, they reported doleful accounts of their op-
pressed situation; begged for a repeal of the new acts from King George,
and many loud voices were raised throughout the colony against the
established church.

* President Wolsey's Hist. Dis. 1850, p. 40.

•} Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, Vol. II, pp. 321-324.

l80 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i753

The Church of England at Fairfield and Reading was at this time in
a most flourishing condition. The Rev. Noah Hobart and his congre-
gation enjoyed the pleasure of worshiping in their new and beautiful
church. The First Congregational Church at Stratfield invited the Rev.
Robert Ross to become their pastor. They had been in an unsettled
condition since the Rev. Mr. Hall left them, but at length united in call-
ing Mr. Ross. This gentleman was of Irish descent, but he was born
in America in 1726. He graduated at Princeton College and received
his diploma from President Burr in 1751. He was ordained at Stratfield
November 28, 1753. Many interesting accounts are given of this re-
markable man. He is described as having been a man of great strength
of character, fine intellectual attainments, particularly in the classics,
warm and generous hearted, kind and benevolent, with an ample share
of that native humor so inherent in the nature of an Irishman. His theo-
logical views were those of the Old Lights. " He was about six feet in
height & well proportioned; wore a wig, cocked hat, rufiled shirt, black
coat, vest & breeches with knee-buckles, & white topped boots, cramped
so as to set tight on the instep."

Once, while journeying on horseback, he had the misfortune to get
his boots so wet that he was obliged to take them off to dry them; but
when he attempted to put them on he found he could not, so he tied
them with his mail straps to his saddle. On the way he met the Rev.
Joseph Bellamy of Woodbury, who was particularly distinguished among
the New Lights. " Now," said Mr. Ross, " you think you can reconcile
foreordination with free-will?" "Yes," replied Mr. Bellamy, "I cer-
tainly do." " Well then," said Mr. Ross, " you cannot even tell me why
my boots are tied on behind me ! "

Wliile an earnest believer in the doctrines of foreordination. election
and free will, Mr. Ross denied the power of man to reconcile them. He
advocated the milk of the word of God for his congregation, arguing
that strong meat was not to be set before them, thereby causing many to
stumble.

He was pastor of the Stratfield Church for more than forty-two years.
During the Revolution he was one of the strt)ngcst advocates in the
colony for their rights and independence. Of his patriotism at that time
mention will be made hereafter.

The new church at Reading was not coni]:)lctC(l until 1752. l^he Rev.
John luirtlett, the second pastor of the Rca<ling Congregational church,

1754] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA l8l

was ordained May 23, 1753. The Rev. Mr. White of Danbury made the
first prayer. The Rev. Mr. Todd of East Guilford preached the sermon.
Rev. Mr. Kent made the ordaining prayer. Rev. Mr. WilHs of Ripton
gave the charge. Rev. Mr. Judson of Newtown gave the right hand of
fellowship, and Rev. Mr. Ingersoll of Ridgefield made the concluding
prayer.

1754. The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 9th. Judge Eben-
ezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants, and
Captain John Read and Captain Samuel Burr as deputies from Fairfield.
Ebenezer Silliman was appointed one of the Judges of the Superior Court
of the colony, and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County and Pro-
bate Court of Fairfield.

Mr. Ezra Hawley was commissioned cornet and Mr. Ichabod Lewis
quartermaster of the troop of horse in the Fourth Regiment of the
colony.*

Mr. Samuel Sandford was commissioned captain, Mr. Daniel Hull
lieutenant and Mr. John Read, Jr., ensign of the train-band in the western
parish of Reading.*

Mr. Joshua Hall was commissioned captain, Mr. James Morgan lieu-
tenant, and Mr. Daniel Lyon ensign in the eastern train-band of the
parish of Reading.*

Frequent seizures of English traders by the French and their Indian
alHes offended the Virginians so that Lieutenant-Governor Dinwiddle
dispatched Major Washington with a body of armed men to demand of
M. St. Pierre, in command on the Ohio, the reasons of his hostile con-
duct; and to insist that he should withdraw his troops. The Virginians
attempted to raise a fort at the junction of the Ohio and Monongahela,

The French commander disclaimed all intent of hostility, on the
ground that the French possessed the property under its king, and that
he should oppose any invasion of the country. He seized upon the partly
constructed fort of the Virginians, and with a force of one thousand men
and eighteen pieces of cannon drove them from the country. He erected
a fort on the spot begun by the Virginians, which he named Fort Du
Quesne. Ever}' English trader but two was murdered or driven from
the country, and their furs and skins seized, which were valued at about
twenty thousand pounds.

The English colonists resolved not to allow the French the great ad-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 261. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 263.

l82 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i754

vantage of controlling the lakes, the Mississippi river and all the lands
west of them, besides their valuable trade in furs and skins with the
Indians. They realized, too, the danger from the Lake regions by way
of the mouth of the Mississippi with the West India trade, and, therefore,
resolved to contest inch by inch with France in their scheme of so great
a magnitude. Immediate orders were sent to Virginia to resist and frus-
trate the efforts of the French; and the other colonies were instructed to
assist them. Major Washington was promoted to the rank of colonel and
placed in command of the Virginia troops. He was soon joined by Cap-
tain James Mackay of South Carolina. Without waiting for two more
companies on their way from New York, Colonel Washington, with four
hundred men, set out for Fort Du Quesne. On his way he fell in. May
28th, with a party from that fort, and completely routed them. Upon
learning of this defeat the commander of the fort, De Villiers, marched
against Colonel Washington's forces with an army of nine hundred men,
besides their Indian allies. Washington meanwhile had entrenched him-
self with hastily erected works to await the coming of the New York
forces. With his small force he fought the French so bravely that, recog-
nizing they had in him and his men a brave and resolute foe, soon made
overtures of capitulation. Washington and his brave men returned to
Virginia.

It was recommended by the Lords of Trade and Plantations that com-
missioners from each colony should meet and consider the best way to
defeat the designs of the French.

The General Assembly of Connecticut agreed to send the Hon. Wil-
liam Pitkin, Roger Wolcott, Jr., and Elisha Williams as commissioners,
to meet with commissioners from the other colonies at Albany on the
14th of June, and join with them in concerting measures for the general
defence and safety of his Majesty's subjects against the French and their
Indian allies, and to report to the next session of the Assembly.

Connecticut having been so heavily drained of her men and resources
and so meagerly rewarded, Governor Roger Wolcott and his associates
gave explicit instructions to the commissioners, while joining in a peti-
tion to the King of England for assistance and protection against the
French and Indians, and to prepare themselves to make exhibits of the
larger share Connecticut had borne in proportion to her capacity, in
comparison to the most southern colonies in former wars, and the greater
benefit they would derive in this proposed war. They were instructed

1754] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 1 83

to agree to no further expense than for the present necessity, to pledge
no money to Indians, and that they should enter into no agreement with
the other commissioners until the Assembly approved of the arrange-
ment for such a combination of defence.*

On the 14th of June the Governor and commissioners from the several
colonies met at Albany, when, upon deliberation, it was the general
opinion : " That a grand council should be formed of members chosen by
the assemblies & sent from all the colonies : which council should consist
of a governor-general, to be appointed by the crown, who should be em-
powered to make general laws, & to raise money, in all the colonies for
the defence of the whole."

This combination of the English colonies for mutual defence and pro-
tection was deemed by many wise, and the only expedient for the good
of the whole, as previously some of the colonies had alone defended them-
selves without assistance from Great Britain or the other colonies.

At the meeting of the General Assembly in New Haven, October 31st,
it was resolved to reject this combination of the colonies, as it was re-
garded to be too extensive to be controlled by one President-General
and Council, and must necessarily prove ruinous. The proposition was
rejected with indignation, and the Assembly refused to make any appli-
cation to the Parliament of England in an act to form such plan of union, t

Another great objection on the part of Connecticut was, that it had
been proposed to make two separate unions of colonies, one consisting
of the colonies of New England, New York and New Jersey, and the
other of the colonies of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North and
South Carolina. Connecticut had suffered too severely in the past from
the ambitious designs of English and other provincial governors to be
caught napping, and had not the slightest idea of yielding to the long
sought for ambition of the enemies of her sacred precincts and liberties
to encourage an English Governor-General. The Connecticut agent in
England was instructed to oppose any agreement to such a combination
of government and defence of the colonies.

Fortunately, this union of the colonies was rejected by the Parliament
of Great Britain, for they had arranged a very different plan, by which
the governors of the colonies, with one or more of their councils, should
form a convention to provide measures for the general defence of the
colonies, erect forts and raise forces, and to draw on the British treasury

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 268. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 292.

]84 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i754

to reimburse them. But Great Britain, while offering her plan, an-
nounced that the parliament would tax the colonies to pay the whole
sums necessary for all such expenditures. This plan threw all the colonies
into a state of the utmost indignation, as a direct blow to their liberties,
wealth and prosperity; in fact, they saw that they were to be made slaves
to the will of parliament and impoverished by taxation. They, therefore,
resolved to struggle against such oppressive measures, and to oppose it
with all their power.*

The Assembly commissioned Mr. Nathan Hurd captain, Mr. Isaac
Bennet lieutenant, and Mr. Solomon Burton ensign of the train-band en-
listed out of the companies in the north part of the parishes of Stratfield
and North Stratford. +

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £50,865 3.?. 6d.

The ecclesiastical and educational interests at Fairfield, as well as
throughout the colony of Connecticut, were at this time subjects of grave
consideration. The Rev. Noah Hobart, like his revered predecessor the
Rev. Joseph Webb, was fully alive to all the interests of Yale College. Tt
cannot be said of Mr. Hobart that he was altogether as peaceably dis-
posed towards the Church of England as Mr. Webb had been, for he
not only entered into controversies with her clergymen at home, but was
equally active as a fellow of Yale College in preventing any encroach-
ments whatever on the part of Dr. Johnson and others of her clergy
gaining the slightest control over the college.

The spirit of disquietude which had been raised during the previous
year on account of the president, tutors and students withdrawing from
attending the First Congregational Church at New Haven, thereby
bringing the students more particularl}- under the teaching of the Presi-
dent, rather tended, for the time being, to create no little trouble in
carrying out this design.

In order to show the origin and designs of colleges, their rights and
privileges, President Clap issued a small tract, entitled " The Religious
Constitution of Colleges." the main arguments of which were to show.
" that every distinct society, founded for religious purposes, is, or at
least may be a distinct worshiping assembly"; and that the religious
training of the students, particularly on the Sabbath, ought to be con-
ducted by the authority of the college.

» Col. Koc. Conn., \<.l. \, p. 293. Irunibull's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2, pj). 35C, 357.
f Col. Rcc. Cunn., \ol. X. p. 314.

I754I FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 185

" ]\Iany tongues & pens & all manner of objections," Mr. Trumbull states, " were em-
ployed both against the government & the college. Some argued that the design of col-
leges was to teach the arts & sciences only ; & that religion was no part of a college educa-
tion; & that therefore no religious worship ought to be upheld or enjoined by the laws
of the college, but that every student should be allowed to worship how & where he
pleased, or as his parents & guardians should direct.

" The President claimed that there probably had never existed a college under such
a constitution, & that for the welfare of the young men intrusted to his oversight & that
of the tutors, they should be directly under their strict observation, both in regard to their
attendance and behaviour during divine worship, not only on week days, but particularly
on the Lord's day. It was also claimed that parents at a distance could not govern their
children at college, & that no parent can have a right to put his child to be the member
of any society, & then order him to break the laws & rules of it by not conforming to the
regulations & laws of that society.

" On the other hand, it was claimed that the college acted upon the principles of
liberty of conscience; that the founding of a college or school might allow such limitations
of conscience as was consistent with the religious views of the faculty or students.

" This was followed by the argument that the great design of the college was to edu-
cate ministers in the faith of the established church of the colony, & for this reason it was
necessary that the students should ordinarily attend upon the worship so established; &
should they give up that law & order, the college would serve designs & purposes con-
trary to those for which it was originally founded, which they could not permit. Upon
the principles of natural liberties & privileges allowed to free & voluntary societies of men
the college must be governed, & their particular rights were to determine their own mode
of government & the conditions of their own favors & benefits to others

"Again it was claimed that the Church of England was the established church of
the colony, & therefore the students ought to attend the worship of that church. And
some went so far as to claim that not to attend the services of the Church of England was
to be schismatic & seditious.

•' In reply, it was argued that the acts of parliament in the common prayer book con-
fined the establishment of the church of England to England & Wales, & the town of
Berwick upon the Tweed, & that no act could be found whereby the statutes of England
did not extend to the colonies unless expressly mentioned.

■' The large donations made to the college by Bishop Berkeley & Governor Yale, who
were churchmen, was held out as still another reason why the college should be controlled
by the Church of England. To this reply was made that the donors had full knowledge
of the design of those who founded the college ; & that they had no reason to suppose that
either Bishop Berkeley or Governor Yale had had the least idea whatever that any altera-
tion would be made in the original laws of the college favoring the Church of England, or
any other society.

" There were many in the colony who continued to oppose the establishment of a pro-
fessor of divinity, & a distinct worship in the college. Some of the leading gentlemen
of New Haven as well as in other parts of the colony, who were opposed to the Assembly
Catechism & to the Confession of I'"aith adopted by the established church. These men
became strong opposers of the resolves & declarations of the corporation of Nov., 1753."

The president and fellows at the college, however, continued firm in
their resolution to establish a professor of divinity at an early date, and
steps were forthwith taken to effect this end.

1 86 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ['754

While the attention of the intelHgent gentlemen of every town in the
colony was occupied with the interests of Yale College, many opposers
of the President and fellows found a solace for their disquietude in the
proposed establishment of King's (now Columbia) College in New York.
Influenced by the energy of Benjamin Franklin, who at this time was
making active preparations towards erecting a college in Philadelphia,
a number of gentlemen in New York, principally of the Church of Eng-
land, engaged in taking measures towards founding a college within
their own borders. Accordingly, in 1753, they obtained an Act of As-
sembly by which Lieutenant Governor De Lancy and other gentlemen
Trustees or Commissioners, were given authority to carry this design
into efifect.

The Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson of Stratford, who had eagerly been
sought by Franklin " as the future Provost of the college " he was about
to erect in Philadelphia, but which he declined, was now chosen President
of King's College, New York, January, 1754. Dr. Johnson was also
chosen to be an assistant minister of Trinity Church in connection with
his of^ce as President of King's College.

A charter was asked for, in which it was proposed by a majority of
the Trustees that the college should be under the control of the Church
of England. This was warmly opposed by those who did not favor that
Church. It was granted, however, soon after. Among its conditions were
those upon which the Corporation of Trinity Church gave a portion of
the King's Farm to build the College on, viz. : " that the President be
forever in communion with the Church of England," and " the Morning
& Evening Service of the College should be the Liturgy of the said
Church, or a collection of prayers from her Liturgy."

Dr. Johnson did not move his family to New ^'ork until after the
charter was granted, and his successor chosen at Stratford. His removal
was regarded as a great loss to the people throughout Connecticut, but
specially so to his devoted parishioners at Stratford, and his friends in
the neighboring towns where he frequently officiated. At Fairfield his
name was familiar in every Church of England home, and the prosperity
of Trinity Church in its infancy, was greatly owing to the zeal antl bravery
of this remarkable man. By the clergy of Fairfield he was looked up to
and revered as a father. From his companions in the ministry he con-
tinued to receive visits and letters of counsel when perplexities arose in
their parishes after his removal to New York. As the senior missionary

17551 FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 187

of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, he
had acted the part of a father towards them, and as such they continued
to consult with him, even to the time of his death.

Many who were opposed to the laws and regulations of Yale College
found an institution of learning in King's College, which met with their
approval. In a short time the latter was equally in as flourishing a con-
dition as the former.

1755. The General Assembly met at Hartford, January 8th, to take
into consideration the assistance Connecticut had been called upon by
Great Britain to give against the French in America. It was agreed to
render all possible assistance to his Majesty, " at the cost & charge of
the colony." The expense of such an undertaking being far greater
than the colony could afford, it was ordered that seven thousand five
hundred pounds in bills of credit paying an interest of five per cent., to
be redeemed in 1758, should be struck ofif, and a tax of two per cent,
levied on all the taxable estates of the colony to redeem them.*

Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr, with two others,
were appointed a comrnittee to assist the Governor with their advice and
counsel. Colonel Andrew Burr was also made one of a committee to
enlist, supply and furnish the forces to be raised in the colony and others
that might arrive from Europe " at the cost & expense of the colony." f

The Assembly met again March 13th, when the colony was called upon
by Governor Shirley of Massachusetts to join with New Hampshire,
Rhode Island and New York in an " attempt to erect a strong fortress
upon the eminence near the French Fort at Crown Point, or some other
desirable point for his Majesty's forces; & to remove all encroachments
upon his territories." Governor Shirley recommended that five thou-
sand men be raised for this expedition, twelve hundred from Massachu-
setts, one thousand from Connecticut, six hundred from New Hamp-
shire, Rhode Island four hundred and New York eight hundred. By
this it will be seen that Connecticut was called upon to raise a much
larger supply of men in proportion to her size than Massachusetts or
New York.

The Assembly promptly ordered that one thousand men should be
immediately raised, armed and equipped to join the other provincial
forces, and in case any emergency should arise, five hundred more men
were to be raised to reinforce this number. All the neighboring govern-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 328. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 32S-331.

l88 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ln55

ments were counseled to hold the same reserve of troops in readiness
for the final success of the expedition.

An act was passed for supplying the treasury for the present extraor-
dinary emergencies, and for creating and issuing bills of credit. Every
person in possession of outstanding bills of credit of the colony was re-
quired to deliver them to a committee appointed to receive them, and
from them receive receipts of their value with law-ful interest, at the rate
of one-third of their value, to be paid in three orders dated May, 1756,
1757 and 1758. The committee were to compute the outstanding bills
of credit in the following proportions: "For every fifty-eight shillings
& eight pence old tenor, one ounce of coined silver; & for every forty-
two pounds of old tenor, one ounce of coined gold; & the new tenor bills
to be computed at one shilling of the new for three shillings & sixpence
of the old tenor." The treasurer was instructed to deliver into the hands
of the committee, " out of the silver & gold lodged in his hands for the
sale of the sterling bills of exchange that have been drawn & sold for the
money granted to this Colony by the Parliament of Great Britain for
reimbursing the expenses of the expedition against Cape Breton & that
intended against Canada, at the same rate he received it into the treas-
ury; " and the committee were instructed to compute it into the lawful
money as follows: " Spanish milled dollars at six shillings each, & other
silver coins according to their value at this rate, & standing gold at five
pounds per ounce troy weight." For the punctual discharge of the
orders to be drawn on the treasurer and the other charges and expenses
of the colony, " in lieu of a three-farthing tax granted in October & a
three-farthing tax in January, a tax of four pence w'as levied on all the
polls & taxable estates of the colony," to be paid into the treasury the
following December, in gold, siher. l)ills of credit, or in the produce of
the country at its lawful valuation.

Jt was further ordered that twche thousand i)()un(ls in bills of credit
should be printed. A tax of three pence half-penny w^as levied on all
the towns in the colony to discharge the payment of such bills. All acts
of the assembly in the public defences were ordered to be kept secret.*

Every able-bodied man who enlisted for the expedition was granted
a bounty of thirteen shillings. A further allowance was made to each
man who provided himself with a military outfit, and that he be paid the
month's wages in advance.

* Col. Kec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 336-341.

1755] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 1 89

It was agreed that a proclamation to encourage volunteers should
be issued by Governor Fitch.

The one thousand men to be raised were to form two regiments con-
sisting of six companies each, commanded by a colonel, lieutenant-colonel
and major, each of whom was to have the command of a company as
captain thereof, with lieutenants and one standard-bearer.

Pack horses were ordered to be purchased for carrying baggage and
other necessary stores.

William Johnson was commissioned lieutenant-general and com-
mander-in-chief of the forces, Phineas Lyman major-general and David
Lacey of Fairfield first lieutenant of the fifth company, under the com-
mand of Captain Samuel Whiting of Stratford.*

In order to maintain the supremacy of the magistrates of the colony,
all power to equip and call for volunteers was vested in commissioners
appointed by the Governor.

The Committee of War in the County of Fairfield was ordered to
hold themselves in readiness to obey the Governor when he should call
for assistance.

The town clerks of each town were ordered to read at a freeman's
meeting, a printed copy of an act of Parliament to regulate and restrain
paper bills of credit in the Connecticut colony, as well as in several other
colonies, and to prevent the same being legal tender in payment of
money.t

At the same time orders were given by the Assembly that all neces-
sary expenditures should be paid, two-thirds in bills of credit and one-
third in silver or gold.

At the regular meeting of the Assembly held at Hartford, May
8th, Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present
as assistants and Mr. David Rowland and Mr. William Burr as
deputies.:}:

Ebenezer Silliman was chosen Judge of the Superior Court of the
colony. Colonel Andrew Burr, Judge of the Fairfield County Court and
District Probate Courts.

Mr. Daniel Andrews was commissioned captain of the third train-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 346, 347. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 351.

f It was during the meeting of this assembly that the demands of the Susquehanna Company
to a large tract of land, belonging in part to the Six Nations, were approved and recommended to
the King's royal favor. — Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 378.

IQO HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i755

band, Phineas Chapman, lieutenant of the first train-band and David
Coley ensign of the second train-band of Greens Farms.*

Upon the recommendation of the Governor of New York it was
deemed expedient that Connecticut should raise five hundred more men,
but the Assembly agreed to raise only three hundred more, " in conse-
quence of having already raised a very large proportion in the colony,
now ready to march." f

The Governor was requested to send a proclamation to each town
that a day be set apart for fasting and prayer in each ecclesiastical society
for the success of the departing soldiers.:}:

Four expeditions had been planned by England, one against the
French on the Ohio under General Braddock, a second against Nova
Scotia, a third against Crown Point, and a fourth against Niagara.

It was deemed necessary to make an immediate attack on the French
fortifications on the Ohio; consequently, General Braddock sailed from
Cork in January, with fifteen hundred regulars for Virginia,- and in about
six weeks reached America.

The French during the spring set sail with a powerful armament and
four thousand troops under the command of Baron Dieskau. A still
larger fleet was sent out from England, of six thousand land forces under
Admirals Boscawen and Holburn.

The General Assembly met at Hartford August 24th. when a letter
from General Johnson was read, giving an account of the design of the
French to secure Crown Point, with a request that additional troops be
sent without loss of time. The Assembly forthwith ordered that two
more regiments be raised of seven hundred and fifty men each, who
should receive the same bounty and pay as those already in service.
Samuel Talcott, Esq., was commissioned colonel of the first regiment and
captain of the first company ; Eliphalet Dyer, lieutenant-colonel of the
same regiment and captain of the second company; Joseph Wooster
major of the same regiment and captain of the third company and Samuel
Hubbell first lieutenant of the third company.

Elihu Chauncey, Esq., was commissioned colonel of the fourth regi-
ment; Andrew Ward, Jr., lieutenant-colonel and captain of the first com-
pany; William Whiting major and captain of the third company. §

Bills of credit to the amount of thirty thousand pounds were ordered

* Cnl. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 360, 361, 363. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 390.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 395. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 399.

1755] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA I9I

to be printed towards defraying the expenses of the expedition, to redeem
which a tax was levied of four per cent, on the pound on all the polls and
taxable estates of the colony. Any constable who should neglect to
collect and pay to the colony treasurer this tax before June, 1760, the
treasurer was ordered to send and collect it " out of the estate of the
negligent one, any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwith-
standing."*

At the October session of the General Assembly, Daniel Sherwood
was commissioned captain, Ezra Hawley lieutenant, Ichabod Lewis
cornet, and John Moss quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment of the
colony, t

A further order was given to print twelve thousand bills of credit
equal to lawful money, to redeem which a tax of three pence on the
pound was levied on polls and taxable estates of the colony.

It was agreed to send two commissioners from Connecticut to meet
the commissioners of the other colonies at New York on the fifteenth of
November, in order to take measures for protecting the frontiers and
to frustrate the designs of the French. Judge Ebenezer Silliman of Fair-
field was appointed with Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., for Connecticut.
Governor Fitch was also requested to meet with the commissioners of
the other colonies in November.

Some doubt existing in the minds of the magistrates as to the expe-
diency of keeping all the troops in camps at Crown Point, or to take
further active preparations against Crown Point and Lake George during
the winter, it was decided to send two gentlemen to Albany to investigate
the condition of the army and their need of men and supplies. General
Johnson had written that a portion of the men might with safety be dis-
banded, but the Governor of Massachusetts differed with him.:}:

All soldiers remaining in service under General Johnson were made
exempt from taxes.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £50,119 is.

Upon the arrival of the English fleet in the spring, only a dense fog-
prevented the Admirals from discovering the French fleet, which had
anchored near their moorings. This gave the French an opportunity
to send a part of its fleet up the St. Lawrence, while their other ships
sailed through the straits of Bellisle into the river, and so reached Canada

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 401. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 416.

l Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 420.

192 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i755

in safety. Meanwhile two of the French ships had been overtaken by
the English Captains Howe and Andrews, and after an engagement of
several hours surrendered and were made prizes to the English govern-
ment. They had on board eight companies of troops, several oflicers
and eight thousand pounds in money.

Before the end of June the expedition against Crown Point had
reached Albany, and Generals Johnson and Lyman found themselves at
the head of a force of six thousand men, and a large body of Indians under
the Mohawk Sachem Hendrick. General Lyman with the main part of
the army marched along the banks of the Hudson to the " carrying
place," about fourteen miles south of the southern end of Lake George,
while General Johnson remamed at Albany in charge of the remaining
troops, artillery, batteaux, and provisions to be sent forward when needed.
It w^as deemed advisable by General Lyman and his officers to raise a
strong fort at the carrying place, to provide for the men and stores to be
sent to them, as well as to keep up communications with Albany, and
also to provide a safe refuge for retreat. Six weeks passed while this
necessary labor was effected.

Late in August General Johnson set out on a march across the
country to Fort Edward on Lake George, situated at the south end of
the lake. He encamped on a favorable covered position to make prep-
arations to convey his cannon, batteaux and military stores across the
lake. His Indian runners, however, soon gave him information that the
French were advancing from llconderoga to Fort Edward, then gar-
risoned only by about five hundred troops from New Ilaiupshire and
New York, under the command of Colonel Blanchard. Runners were
sent with all speed by General Johnson to Colonel Blanchard to call in
his forces and place himself in readiness for an attack, as the enemy dur-
ing the night were discovered to be wdthin four miles of Fort Edward.
A party of one thousand men under Colonel Williams of Massachusetts
and Colonel Whiting of Connecticut, with the Mohawk Indians under
their Sachem, were dispatched to overtake and defeat the enemy.

Baron Dieskau, who was m command of the French and Indian
troops, had marched from Ticonderoga to make an attack upon Fort
Edward, but upon learning that it was fortified with cannon, resolved
to attack General Johnson's camp. On his march thither runners dis-
covered the forces of Colonels Williams and Whiting about three miles
from the main camp. He, therefore, with his troops and Indians lay in

1755] FREiVCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA I93

ambush to await the advancing English. Upon their approach the enemy-
sprang from their hiding-places and poured into them such a deadly fire
that Colonel Williams and the Mohawk Sachem Hendrick, with many
other officers and men, w-ere instantly killed. Colonel Whiting with diffi-
culty rallied his panic-stricken forces and retired to his camp.

General Johnson sent about half a mile to the borders of the lake for
his cannon, which reached him in time to render great assistance in
defending him from the enemy. As the Canadians and Indians advanced,
the defeat the provincial forces had sustained had so bewildered and di.s-
heartened them that their officers found it difficult to hold them in line;
but, after the first firing began and they saw the execution their cannons
were making, they took heart and rallied with great spirit. " The line
became one continual roar & blaze." The Canadians and their Indian
allies were so surprised and amazed by this unexpected attack that they
retired behind the trees and rocks to continue their assault. Baron
Dieskau in vain endeavored to force an entrance into the camp, but the
deadly fire of the provincials made it impossible. As the fire of his forces
began to be less active the provincials leaped from their breastworks and
so furiously attacked the enemy that they were soon entirely routed.
Out of a force of two thousand Baron Dieskau and about seven hundred
of his men were killed and three hundred made prisoners.

General Johnson and Major Nichols of the provincials were wounded.
Colonel Williams, Major Ashley and six captains were killed and about
two hundred soldiers.

On the following day Captain McGinnes marched to the relief of the
camp with a hundred and twenty New Hampshire men. On his way he
came unexpectedly upon three or four hundred of the enemy sitting by
a pond near the spot where Colonel Williams had been defeated; and al-
though! his force was so much smaller than the enemy he made such a
vigorous attack upon them that they were entirely routed and fled,
leaving much of their packs and stores. Captain McGinnes was severely
wounded, from the effects of which he died a few days later in the camp.
Meanwhile the expedition against Nova Scotia under the command of
Colonel Mockton proved successful, he having taken three forts and
secured many provisions, cannon, ammunition and stores. Colonel
'Mockton disarmed about fifteen hundred prisoners, " great numbers of
whom were sent to New England."

General Braddock, who had been placed in command of about two
13

194 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i755

thousand two hundred men, had received strict orders in England to pro-
ceed through the country with caution, and to be on the alert against
ambuscades. Colonel Washington, seeing his total lack of this necessary
precaution, warned and urged him to send out scouts, and to be more on
his guard; but he seems to have been possessed with such a strong sense
of self-sufficiency and haughty obstinacy as to lose sight of such neces-
sary wisdom. On the 8th of July he found himself within fourteen miles
of Fort Du Quesne, but having neglected all advice and precautions, the
next day he fell into an ambuscade, when a deadly fire was poured from
the front and into his left flank which, with the yells of the Indians, threw
his advance guard into such a panic that they fled back to the main body,
when confusion and dismay wholly demoralized the entire force. In vain
General Braddock with his officers endeavored to rally his forces. Five
horses were shot under him; and at last he was shot through his right
arm and lungs. As he fell, his army fled in the wildest confusion. He
was carried from the field by two of his faithful officers and died four
days after. All of his artillery, ammunition, baggage and his letters of
instructions fell into the hands of the French. With cautious scouting,
General Braddock might have saved his army, but his self-sufficiency and
stupid egotism caused him to sacrifice some of his bravest officers and
men. as the whole attacking force of the enemy did not exceed five
hundred.

The Virginia militia led by Colonel Washington stood firm and un-
broken. They advanced against the enemy, and covering their retreating
companions, saved the main army from utter destruction; but a number
of officers and between seven and eight hundred men fell in this engage-
ment.

The remaining forces joined the rear division, and the entire army
continued their retreat until they reached Fort Cumberland. Soon after
Colonel Dunbar, who succeeded in command, leaving the sick and
wounded in the fort, marched away with fourteen hundred men to Penn-
sylvania. Thus the frontier settlements of Virginia and Pennsylvania
were left to suffer from frequent attacks from the French and Indians.

The news of this defeat seriously aff^ected a force of two thousand
men under Governor Shirley, which had been sent against Niagara,
^lany of his troops and boatmen deserted and made their way back home.
He had found it almost impossible to transport his artillery, ammunition
and stores from Albany to Oswego, and now when deprived of his desert-

1755] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA I95

ing men, and finding it impossible to supply his army with provisions,
after erecting Fort Ontario, near the old fort which commanded the en-
trance of Lake Niagara and Fort Oswego, a short distance west of this,
he returned to Albany in October, leaving Colonel Mercer with seven
hundred men to garrison the forts for the winter.

These experiences led the provinces of Virginia, Pennsylvania and
Maryland to realize the great necessity of a more vigorous effort than
they had made to protect their frontiers, by erecting forts to guard the
settlements. Pennsylvania had not favored the expeditions of this year.
Maryland, being less exposed, had not suffered as much as the frontier
inhabitants of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

" The bravery and zeal of the New England forces so pleased the king
that he recommended the House of Commons to take into consideration
and reward the faithful services of the people of New England and some
other parts of America. On this recommendation Parliament voted them
the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds." *

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued this year at
£50,119 i^. 2}id.

Amid the losses sustained in this expedition, Fairfield bore her share
of the large number of troops sent by Connecticut, and in many of her
homes mourners wept by their firesides during the winter, while fears of
further drains upon their youth and strength spread gloom and anxiety
throughout the town. But the sturdy sons of this active and patriotic
town stood ready at all times to prove themselves prepared for every
emergency.

On the 23d of March, 1755, it was voted at a town meeting in Fairfield,
that all the parsonage lands lying in the twenty rod highway should be
sold, and the money divided in the same proportions among the several
societies as the former sum arising from the sale of parsonage lands had
been. David Burr, Samuel Sherwood and Captain Thomas Hill were
appointed a committee to sell the parsonage lands.

On the 31st of March it was voted at a town meeting " that all school
lands in the town should be sold for lawful money, and distributed among
the societies in the town, viz. ; The first & ancient society to have one-
half of sd. money said land shall sell for ; the other half to be divided into
three equal parts; the West Parish to have one-third part, and the other
third part to be divided between the parish of Reading & part of the

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, pp. 358-372. Iloilister's Hist. Conn. Vol. II, pp. 33-44.

196 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i756

parish of Stratfield." This money was " to be used for the maintenance
of schools & for no other purpose whatever."

1756. The General Assembly met again at Hartford, January 21st,
when an oath of secrecy was administered to all the members in regard
to their operations against the French. It was agreed that the opera-
tions conducted by the General Council of War, held in New York, De-
cember 1 2th and 13th, to be carried on against the French were " of a
most salutary character, in laying a lasting foundation for the security
of his Majesty's colonies & just territories in America." But as the
colony of Connecticut during the past year had been at a much larger
expense in issuing bills of credit than they could well afiford to redeem, &
" the inhabitants loaded with taxes laid out on the four next years " to
redeem these bills of credit, and that the emission of a larger sum might
greatly depreciate the value of the former, it was agreed to apply to
Governor Shirley of Massachusetts to solicit the crown of Great Britain
" that the pay of the troops, supply of arms, ammunition & carriage be
undertaken at the expense of the crown."

Jonathan Trumbull and Phineas Lyman were appointed commis-
sioners to confer with Governor Shirley for this purpose. They were
also directed to purchase twenty barrels of powder, twenty thousand best
flints and three tons of bar-lead in Boston, and ship them to Hartford at
the risk of the colony, and to draw on the treasurer for pre-payment.*

On account of the extraordinary hardships which the troops of Con-
necticut had undergone at Fort Edward, a gratuity of one month's wages
was ordered to be paid to the chaplain, officers, and soldiers. Colonel
Nathan Whiting was granted thirteen pounds for his extraordinary
services.

An act was passed against foreigners trading with and corrupting the
Indians in the colony. Retailers of liquor and captains of ships were
placed under bonds of twenty pounds each to obey the excise laws of
the colony.

About four hundred or more French prisoners having been sent into
the colony, a committee was appointed to apportion and distribute them
among the towns to be supported at the expense of the colony. Seven-
teen were sent to Fairfield.

The selectmen were directed " to receive, manage & support them,

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 447-449. Bullets were moulded in those days by goldsmiths,
blacksmiths, and by private individuals.

1756] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA I97

as if they were inhabitants of the towns." Such of the prisoners as were
sick and could not be moved to Connecticut were ordered to be taken
care of at the expense of the colony.* A strict act was passed to punish
any of them who should attempt to escape.

The Assembly met again February 12th, when the minutes were read
of a Council of War held in New York, December 12th and 13th, at
which time it was a unanimous opinion that an expedition should be sent
early in the spring against Crown Point and the French encroachments
on Lake Ontario; and that ten thousand men would be needed to go
against Crown Point. A communication was read from Major-General
Shirley, dated December 30th. in which he laid before the Assembly a
letter from the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Robinson, dated November
II, 1755, of " his Majesty's gracious intention to recommend Parliament
to grant assistance for a vigorous prosecution of the war, by defraying
the expenses thereof." As some doubt existed about the colonies south
of New York sending their full quota into the field, the northern govern-
ments were advised to increase their proportions.

The Assembly voted to join at once with the three other New England
colonies and the Province of New York in raising ten thousand men for
the expedition against Crown Point & to remove the French encroach-
ments on and near the Iroquois Lake, and to march as soon as possible
in the spring. It was also voted that Connecticut should raise two
thousand five hundred men to act with the other neighboring colonies.
A letter from the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Robinson was read, in
response to the application for assistance from the crown, informing
Governor Fitch and the assembly " that his majesty had ordered ten
thousand stands of arms with the proper accoutrements & ammunition
to be sent to Boston for the troops." Without delay Governor Fitch
sent for " at least three thousand stands of arms with proper accoutre-
ments & ammunition," for the use of the Connecticut forces. All the
old and new tenor bills of credit were ordered to be called in, counted
and burned by the colony treasurer, and their value paid according to
the value of exchange in gold and silver, to pay the debt of the colony,
as the Assembly should direct from time to time. An account of the ex-
penses for the expedition against Crown Point was ordered to be kept by
the Pay-table Committee and to be sent to Great Britain. The commis-
saries were ordered to purchase flour for twenty-five thousand men for

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 452, 453.

198 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1756

four months. All bread-stuffs, peas, beans, pork and beef were forbidden
to be sold out of the colony until after the first day of May.*

The Assembly met again, March 17th, at Hartford, when it was voted
that the two thousand five hundred men to be sent for the reduction of
Crow^n Point, " should be formed into four regiments of eight companies."

John Winslow, Esq., was commissioned commander-in-chief of the
expedition by order of Governor Shirley of Massachusetts; Phineas.
Lyman major-general and second in command of all the forces, and also
colonel of the first regiment; David Wooster colonel of the second regi-
ment; John Pitkin colonel of the third; and Andrew Ward, Jr., colonel
of the fourth regiment. The lieutenant colonels of each regiment were
Eleazer Fitch of the first; William Whiting of the second; Nathan Payson
of the third, and Stephen Lee of the fourth. Joseph Storrs was commis-
sioned major of the first regiment; Jehosaphat Starr of the second; John
Patterson of the third; and Benjamin Hinman of the fourth.

In the first regiment, under Major-General Lyman, and in the fifth
company, under Captain Samuel Whiting, Samuel Hubbell was commis-
sioned first lieutenant and Nathan Godfrey second lieutenant from Fair-
field.t

A bounty of thirty-six shillings and a blanket was granted to each
enhsting soldier when ready for marching orders, and four shillings a
week before marching, and one shilling six pence a day while marching.
" fifteen miles being accounted a day's travel.":}:

By reason of the scarcity of money in the colony, and fears of its great
depreciation if further bills of credit should be issued, it was decided by
the Assembly to borrow thirteen thousand, three hundred and thirty-three
pounds, six shillings and eight pence from Governor Shirley of Massa-
chusetts, Commander-in-Chief of his ]\Iajesty's forces in America, in
milled dollars at six shillings each, or in coined silver at six shillings and
eight pence per ounce, or in coined gold equivalent, for which it was
agreed to give a receipt to Governor Shirley for the value of six thousand,
six hundred and sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence. To
redeem this borrowed money a tax of one penny half-penny was levied
on all the polls and taxable estates in the colony, to be paid into the
colony treasury in April, 1758. An additional tax of one penny half-
penny was levied according to the taxable list of estates of October, 1757.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 458, 460. f Col. Rec. Conn., V^ol. X, pp. 471, 472.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 46()-482.

I756J FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA I99

to be collected and paid into the treasury by April i, 1759, in lawful
money or gold equivalent. As the Assembly expected to be reimbursed
with money from Great Britain, it was enacted : that if such moneys
should arrive before June 20th of 1757 and 1758, these taxes should be
made null and void. In case the arms, ammunition and blankets, which
were expected from the crown, did not arrive in seasonable time, the
commissaries of the colony were ordered to supply them, and even to
impress, appraise their value and pay for them.*

The colony having exhausted its store of cannon, mortar shells and
powder for small arms and ordnance, a call was made upon Governor
Shirley to seek through his brother, William Shirley, Commander-in-
Chief of all his Majesty's Forces in North America, to urge the necessity
and expediency of sending to Connecticut twenty-five hundred stands
of arms and ammunition, out of the ten thousand stands of arms sent to
the care of his excellency to furnish his majesty's subjects in America, t

Judge Ebenezer Silliman, Colonel Andrew Burr, Mr. David Rowland
of Fairfield, with Samuel Fitch and Joseph Piatt, both of Norwalk, were
appointed a Committee of War, to assist and advise with Governor Fitch
whenever he should call upon them.:}:

Mr. Jonathan Trumbull was appointed to go to England as agent and
attorney from the colony, and assist Mr. Partridge, the colony agent
there, to plead the insupportable condition of the colony and to obtain
money and advice towards furthering his majesty's cause in America.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 13th, when the assist-
ants' oath was administered to Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel
Andrew Burr of Fairfield, and the deputy's oath to Captain Thomas Hill
and Mr. Lathrop Lewis.

Ebenezer Silliman w^as made Judge of the Superior Court of the
colony, and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County and District Pro-
bate Court of Fairfield.

A stringent act was passed to prevent bribery and corruption in the
election of members to the General Assembly, " the Assembly declaring
that any such evil & illegally elected members were incapable of serving
as a member of such Assembly."

Samuel Hill was commissioned ensign of the train-band of the parish
of Greenfield, and Samuel Morehouse ensign of the west parish of Fair-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 476-478. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 482.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 483.

20O HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1756

field; James Smedley captain, Nathaniel Burr, Jr., lieutenant, and Eleazar
Osborn ensign of the second train-band of Fairfield.*

It appears that the width of the Long Lots belonging to the original
settlers of Fairfield had been for many years a matter of dispute among
their descendants. It was therefore decided by the Assembly that the
town should a]ii)oint a committee to measure the length and width of the
long lots and fix monuments of the original owners to each lot.f

The money borrowed from Governor Shirley was ordered to be
lodged in the colony treasury. A tax of one penny on the pound was
levied on all polls and taxable estates according to the October list, with
the additions to be added to the four-penny tax. The colony treasurer
was ordered forthwith to collect the five pence levied on the pound.

j\Ir. Thomas ilill of Fairfield was chosen one of a committee to bor-
row five thousand of the last issue of bills of credit at lawful interest,
until the last day of January, to be loaned by them to private indi-
viduals.:!:

Eight thousand pounds sterling, lately granted by his majesty to Con-
necticut, was ordered to be ])aid towards the debts of the colony, either
in lawful money and bills of credit in due proportion, as most expedient
for the safety of the public welfare. §

The colony had, in its great stress for money, even borrowed from
private individuals, which they now proposed to return with lawful in-
terest.

The Governor was requested to appoint a day and issue a ]:)roclama-
tion for public fasting and ])raycr in all ecclesiastical societies of the
colony. II

During the time of these warlike preparations, in which actual battles
took place with the French and Indians, England did not declare war
against France until the i8th of May; and not until June following did
France declare war against England. (Governor Shirley of Massachu-
setts, not having been successful in commanding the last year's expedi-
tion against the French, General Abercrombie was appointed to succeed
him; and, as it was deemed advisable to have the entire forces of the col-
onies under the control of an English officer, the Earl of Loudoun was
appointed Conmiandcr-in-Chief over the North .\merican department of

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 504, 505. f Col. Rec. Conn., \ol. X, p. 512.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 536. )^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 537.

I Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. X, p. 538.

1756] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 20I

Operations, with almost unlimited power. He was also made Governor of
Virginia and colonel of a royal regiment of colonial forces.

The General Council of War had arranged to make an attack on
Niagara and Crown Point with the northern forces and a body of reg-
ulars, a detachment of which was to be sent up the Kennebec River to
alarm Canada, and thus hold a check on the main design. The southern
colonies were, with the assistance of several regiments of regulars, to
besiege Fort Du Ouesne on the Ohio. Niagara was considered to be
one of the most important posts in North America, as it was on the south
side of Lake Ontario, at the entrance of the Strait which joined it to
Lake Erie, forming the only water communication between them; and
'•' the only link which connected the colonies of Canada & Louisiana. It
was the only way by which the Indians for several hundred miles from
the northwest could pass with safety to the southern parts of America,
or by which the Indians south of the Lake could communicate north of
it." Besides this, the holders of this valuable strategic position naturally
held command of the five nations — the Indians on the north and those
along the banks of the Wabash and Mississippi, as well as the Indians on
the western frontiers. By the success of this enterprise the English saw
that they could not only control the Indians, but prove a .serious check
to the French on the Ohio and the Lakes.

Crown Point was the only passage into Canada, and secured the com-
mand of all Lake Champlain, through which the French and Indians
passed to make their fierce and bloody attacks on the frontier towns
of New England and New York. To secure this valuable entrance into
Canada would end these attacks, and confine the French and their Indian
allies within the bounds of Canada, and at the same time open a passage
into the centre of Canada.

If General Shirley disappointed Great Britain and the colonies with
his unfortunate control of the New England forces. General Abercrombie,
with one of the largest and best equipped armies ever seen in America,
also sorely disappointed their expectations through delay, inactivity and
ill management. He allowed the fort at Oswego, for want of reinforce-
ments, to endure a protracted siege by the French under General Mont-
calm. Colonel Mercer then in command was killed; and on the 14th of
August the garrison, consisting of sixteen hundred men, capitulated and
were taken prisoners. One hundred and twenty-one pieces of cannon,
fourteen mortars, two sloops of war, two hundred boats built on the

202 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i75(^

lake, and all the stores and ammunition fell into the hands of the enemy,
and were carried away to strengthen their other line of defences. General
Bradstreet, while conveying food and provisions to Oswego, twice made
vigorous and successful repulses upon surprise forces of the enemy.
Seventy of his men were killed and wounded. About twice that number
of the enemy were killed and taken prisoners, and among them their
general. Upon learning from them of the siege of Oswego, he resolved
to return to Albany to give information of the siege and designs of the
enemy. General Webb, who with one regiment had been ordered to pro-
ceed to reinforce the forts at Ontario, was found on the 29th of July to be
still at Albany. He did not advance until August 12th, when learning
of the fall of Oswego, he leisurely returned to Albany.*

Meanwhile General Winslow, with about seven thousand New-
England and New York troops, had reached the southern landing of
Lake George. His troops were in high spirits, awaiting with impatience,
the word of command from General Abercrombie to advance up the lake
to Crow'n Point. But General Abercrombie, with three thousand men
under his command at Albany, delayed moving until after the middle of
August, to the chagrin, indignation and humiliation of the colonial troops,
and, although there were still three months of good weather, they were
still further keenly disappointed by Governor Loudoun, who decided that
the season was too far advanced to make any further attempt against the
French until the following year. Fort Henry and Fort George were left
strengthened and well garrisoned. The rest of the provincial troops re-
turned home, and the regulars went into winter quarters at Albany. For
want of a settled plan of action the southern colonies were not more suc-
cessful than those of the north.

The colonial troops, however, had not been idle during all this annoy-
ing and dispiriting delay. Under the energy and skill of their own
officers they had made roads through the wilderness, erected forts, built
vessels and a large number of boats.

Governor Loudoun, as commander-in-chief of the American forces.
visited many of the principal towns in the colonies and was received with
every degree of respect and hospitality. He undoubtedly passed through
Fairfield on his way to New Haven, where he was most cordially and hos-
pitably entertained by President Clap. The officers and troops of the
army did not share in these outward demonstrations of respect. In the

* 'rrumbuH's Hist. Conn., \''ol. II, ])p. 372-376.

1756] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 203

Earl of Loudoun and General Abercrombie the colonies had placed the
greatest expectations and confidence. They had set out with the highest
hopes of success, only to have all their plans dashed at the very time they
expected to meet only with success, while ten or twelve thousand men
had spent the summer in awaiting the action of two English commanders,
who had proved wholly unfit for the duties with which they had been in-
trusted. It is not surprising that the troops and people should have con-
cluded that their own officers were far better able to command them and
to defend the country.

Meanw'hile the French had triumphed everywhere and strengthened
themselves. The winter was one of deeds of massacres and horrors in
many of the frontier towns.

The General Assembly met at Hartford on the 8th of September to
consider a letter received from the Earl of Loudoun, who had written that
the enemy were approaching, and " that he considered it advisable that
all the commissioners of the colonies should agree that he should take
all the stock of provisions at Fort William Henry, Fort Edward and at
Albany, the posts between those forts and Albany, for the use of the pro-
vincial forces at the same rate and allowance that his Majesty's forces
received, and to give a receipt therefor, and to pay a just value for all
such as he should receive." While the Assembly " thought it expedient
to agree with his lordship's proposal," it was considered more advisable
to fulfil their engagement made with the colony troops, " at the same rate
& allowance they had received." That the matter might be duly trans-
acted, Jabez Hamlin and Hezekiah Huntington were sent as a committee
to Albany to fully settle the matter and " to confer with the Earl of
Loudoun touching the reimbursement of the whole expense of the stores
and provisions supplied by the Connecticut colony, & to charge & take a
receipt for the same." *

The Assembly having received notice that the money granted by
Parliament " as a free gift & reward to the Colony of Connecticut for past
services," sent by his Majesty's ship " Sterling Castle," had arrived, and
the moneys conveyed to Messrs. Charles Apthorp & Son of New York,
out of which Governor Shirley demanded that the money which Con-
necticut had borrowed from him should be paid. It was, therefore,
ordered by the Assembly " that ten thousand pounds sterling " out of this
money should be paid to Governor Shirley and a receipt taken for the

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 545.

204 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i756

same. It appears that over and above this sum there still remained for
Connecticut, " fourteen thousand eight hundred & twenty-eight pounds,
ten shillings & one penny." This sum was to be paid to Governor Fitch
in gold ; but the colony, unwilling to part with the silver sent over, refused
to receive it all in gold, and desired Messrs. Apthorp & Son to send in-
stead of the order already sent, " another including the silver & small
money sent to this colony, & the remaining balance in gold." In all,
there were " twenty-three chests of silver & two chests of gold sent to
Connecticut." The full proportion sent to the colony after deducting
necessary expenses, fees, etc., was " twenty-six thousand pounds," out
of " one hundred & fifteen thousand pounds," sent to the colonies from
Great Britain.*

An act was passed that all prisoners should be sent to the county
jails and a due allowance be made for their maintenance.

All grains and provisions were prohibited from being sent out of the
colony under penalty of confiscation until the following June, and special
care to be taken to prevent the French from receiving such provisions.

The Governor sent out a proclamation to the ecclesiastical societies
of all the colonies, appointing the first Thursday in October a day of
fasting and prayer, f

On the nth of October the General Assembly met again at New
Haven. A report having reached the Governor from the Earl of Loudoun
of his lordship's expectation of the speedy approach of the enemy to
attack the army at Lake George and vicinity, eight companies of one
hundred men each were ordered to be sent without delay to the relief of
the forces in Lake George and parts adjacent. Each man enlisting was
granted a bounty of eighteen shillings.

The men raised for the Fourth Regiment were to be under the com-
mand of Captain Joseph Hoit of Stamford. Samuel Adams of Strat-
ford was commissioned first lieutenant and Jedcdiah FIull of Fairfield
second lieutenant. :{:

Mr. Joseph Squire was made ensign of the first train-band of Fair-
field. §

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £50.761 15.?. 4^.

An annoying letter was received and read from the F^arl of Loudoun
after the troops had been raised and made ready to march for Lake

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 546-548. \ Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. X, p. 550.

t Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 556, 557. § Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. X, p. 645.

1756] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 205

George, that their services would not be required at that time, but that
they should be held in readiness to march. The Assembly, however, did
not think it advisable to maintain troops at such great expense, and
ordered them to be disbanded. The colonels and captains of each com-
pany were ordered to take pains that every enlisted soldier and house-
holder should be provided with arms and ammunition, and to hold all
the soldiers in readiness, in whole or in part, to march upon the shortest
notice.

The well kept parish records of Green's Farms contain the deaths
of five young men of their inhabitants who fell in the expedition against
Crown Point. Their names were Thomas Sherwood, Phineas Squire,
Jethro Morehouse, David Hendricks and Abel Fountain.*

While many interesting events were being accomplished for the pro-
motion of well-governed institutions of learning in the colony, the par-
ishes throughout Fairfield were in a most flourishing condition.

The people living at Northfield, now called Weston, had increased
in numbers to that extent that they found themselves w^ell able to sup-
port a minister of their own. Accordingly, at the October session of the
General Assembly, they presented the following petition :

" Upon the memorial of Cornelius Ditman & other inhabitants of the northern part
of the West Parish & north-western part of Greenfield parish in Fairfield. & a small part
of the parish of Wilton in Norwalk bounds, praying to be made into an ecclesiastical
society; representing their being at great distance from any place of public worship, &
of their ability to uphold & maintain the ministry among themselves, etc. — as by the
memorial on file may more fully appear :

The Assembly appointed Jonathan Maltbee of Stamford, John Read
of Fairfield and Samuel Olmstead of Ridgefield a committee " to inquire
into the motives of said petitioners, & at the call & cost of the memorial-
ists, to repair to the said place, view the same, & the lands & parts ad-
jacent, & having heard all parties concerned, to report their opinion of
what they thought best should be done, to the Assembly in May next."t

The Baptists at Stratfield fell into trouble at this time. From an
old paper dated July 10, 1756, it appears that three of those who organ-
ized the society were excommunicated :

"Samuel Beardsley claimed that God had made him an eye in Zion;" but, "being
tried by the rule that Christ himself hath left us where he tells us, ' Every tree is known

* Rev. J. B. Relyea's Hist. Dis. at Green's Farms, Oct. 26th, 1865.
t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 562.

2o6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^56

by its fruits/ then if this gift was the gift of God, surely Life, Love, Joy & Peace would
have been the consequences; but instead hereof, it hath been manifestly spiritual death,
hatred, strife, & debate, contrary to the Gospel. To use which he declared it a false gift,
according to the 25th Chapt. of Proverbs, 14th verse, ' Whoso boasteth himself of a false
gift, is like the clouds & winds without rain.' "

Another serious charge wasr that those who were to be excommunicated as well as
all unconverted persons should be denied the validity of marriage. At the same time it
was asserted that the marriages of Christians were lawful and their children holy. Mar-
riage was called the "doctrine of devils," which was denied by the examining committee,
who claimed, according to St. Paul's Epistle to Timothy, and cited as sound doctrine, that
" marriage is honorable to all." The guilty parties were then charged with " breaking
their Covenant vows & admonished to repent of their errors, while Zion sits with tears on
her cheeks & mourns over you ; & with sorrow of heart is called to draw the sword of
the spirit, & cut the cord of fellowship, & let the coat fall off rather than all perish to-
gether."

The Baptist church not having a settled minister relied only upon the visits of Mr.
Morse, who did not reside at Strattield, and as they had neither deacon or clerk, this
paper of excommunication was signed by several leading members of the parish by way of
giving it weight.

At a town meeting held in Fairfield May 20th, 1756, it was " agreed that the people
called baptists have liberty to erect a house of public worship at Elbow-hill, so called; said
house to extend twenty-six feet in width from the west side of the highway."

Beside forming new parishes within the town Hmits, several other
matters of interest took place. On May 20th, at a town meeting, it was
voted: " to open a highway from Silliman's bridge to Penfield's mill on
Ash-creek." It was also voted " that all the Greenfield & Stratfield so-
cieties lying below Sport-hill, should work one day at the bridge pro-
posed to be made over the Ash-House creek, a great creek, so called."'-''

Dr. Gideon Wells of Fairfield was given liberty to produce inocula-
tion against smallpox in the towns.

Every 'householder was required to keep a good ladder upon his
house from the month of December, in case of fire, under a penalty of
ten shillings.

By a vote passed July 23d, the court-house and jail bounds are given
as follows: "That piece of land lying south-east of the Rev. Noah
Hobart's parsonage, having been a part of his home-lot which he hath
sold to Isaac Tucker is bounded on the south-east by the new jail &
south-west by the court-house & the pound. & on the south-east by the
land of Justin Ilobart." Thus the jail at that date stood between the
houses of Mr. Isaac Tucker and Mi-. Justin Ilobart, a nephew of the Rev.
Noah Hobart.

* 1 own Records.

1757] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 20/

1757. The General Assembly met again at Hartford, January 20th,
to take into consideration and arrange by the order of the Earl of Lou-
doun for another expedition against Canada. Colonel Andrew Burr was
present as an Assistant and Mr. Lothrop Lewis as a representative.

The Assembly appointed Governor Fitch and four commissioners to
meet the Earl of Loudoun and commissioners from the other colonies
at Boston during the month of January. They were given full power
to agree upon the number of men to be raised by Connecticut, ** always
observing such instructions as shall be given them by this Assembly,
which instructions were not to send more than twelve hundred and fifty
men; that the Assembly would appoint officers for the Connecticut troops,
to ask his lordship for provisions and other necessaries, pay for the forces
to be raised for him, as well as for such provisions as he had already re-
ceived; and also that he should request his Majesty to refund the costs
and expenses of the past year.

The colony treasury being nearly exhausted, a tax of two pence on
the pound was levied on all the polls and taxable estates in the colony,
in the same manner as it was levied in 1755.

After the meeting of the governors and commissioners from the
several colonies with Earl Loudoun at Boston, a special Assembly con-
vened at Hartford, February 9th. when the Assembly voted to raise
fourteen hundred men to act in his Majesty's service, under the Earl
of Loudoun, in the next campaign. Handsome bounties were given
to old and new volunteers, and the usual ?>nm paid them while in
service.*

Samuel Hubbell was commissioned and served as captain, Josiah
Walker as first lieutenant, Ezra Step'hens second lieutenant, and Abel
Prindle ensign of the fifth company of volunteers in the Fourth Regi-
ment.f

The serious drain of raising and maintaining the forces of the pre-
vious year so impoverished the colony that the Assembly appointed the
20th of March for a collection of five or six thousand pounds, to be taken
up in all the churches. They especially urged the wealthy inhabitants
of the towns to contribute liberally towards maintaining English supre-
macy in America. The Assembly also voted that a public lottery should
be drawn at Hartford June ist to raise the sum of eight thousand pounds
towards defraying the colony expenses. The sale of the lottery tickets

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 599. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 601.

2o8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i757

were to be paid in bills of the late emission, or in gold or silver on or
before February 20, 1758.*

An order was issued to collect all the arms and accoutrements be-
longing- to his Majesty in the last campaign by appointed officers in each
company. Colonel Andrew Burr was chosen to collect those held among
the soldiers of Fairfield County. They were to take special care of them
and to either sell or bring back those found at Albany, Fort Williams
and Fort Edward, to the colony commissary appointed to receive them.

Jonathan Trumbull and John Ledyard, Esq., were appointed to ad-
just the sums owing the colony, with the Earl of Loudoun.

The General Assembly met at Hartford May 12th, when Judge Eben-
ezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants, and
Captain Thomas Hill and Mr. Lothrop Lewis as deputies from Fairfield.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman was chosen one of the Judges of the Superior
Court of the colony, and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County and
Probate Court of Fairfield.

An act was passed requiring the chief military officers of each town
to examine on the first Monday in ]May and October, the arms and
ammunition of each company under their command and in their vicinity.
and also those of the other inhabitants. The colonels and captains of
each company of soldiers were commanded to see that the forces were
fully prepared to march on the shortest notice.

A man-of-war was ordered to be provided for the protection of the

* Under the head of " The judgment of the ministers, met at Boston i\th of May, 1699, upoti
a case unto them concerning Lotteries," Cotton Mather thus wrote: "Great is the difference
between a lottery set up by persons acting in a private capacity, & a lottery set up by the go2rrn-
ment, who have power to lay a tax upon the people, but choose to leave unto the more easie deter-
mination of a lottery, the person who shall pay the summ which the necessities of the public require.
A parliamentary lottery takes only from the voluntary what the government might have demanded
with a mors general imposition ; & only when the people are plunged into such distress, that a more
general imposition would be grievous ; & it employs for the welfare of the public, all that is thus
raised by the lottery. Whereas a mart private lottery is managed by those that have no antecedent
claim unto anything of their neighbors, & is designed merely for private at/vantages."

" 2d, It is a principle embraced among all well informed christians, that no calling is lawful hut
what is useful unto humane society, in some of its interests, except there be in a calling, some
tendency to make an addition unto the enjoyments & interests of humane society, no christian may
set it up. The oracles of heaven tells us, christians must learn to possess honest trades for neces-
sary uses. To set up a lottery is to set up a calling. Hut though this or that particular man may
be a gainer ; yet it would puzzle any man to tell what necessary or convenient uses of humane
society, where the lottery is opened arc at all served. The mind, the bodies, the riches, the defence,
or the regular delights of humane society have by this lottery, no addition made unto them." — Cot-
ton Matlier's Magnalia, Book V, Chapt. XVII.

1757] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 20g

colony sea-coast, fully armed and provided with officers, a doctor and
seamen. The officers and seamen were to have one-half of all prizes
taken, to be divided among them according to their grade.

The Assembly ordered that the inhabitants within the limits described
by the memorial of Cornelius Dikeman and other inhabitants of the
northern part of Green's Farms, Greenfield and Wilton, should be made
and constituted a distinct ecclesiastical society and endowed with all the
privileges and immunities of such societies in the colony under the name
of Norfield.

The bounds of the parish were as follows, viz.: "beginning at the militarj' bounds
in the western line of Fairfield township twenty rods above John Morehouse's dwellinji
house, & from thence running easterly to the widow Sarah Fanton's dwelling house,
including the same, & so on to Greenfield parish line, thence northward with said line to
Aspetuck River; thence running northerly by said river to Gilbert's highway, so called,
about half a mile west of the mile of common, thence northerly by said highway up to
Reading south line, & thence westerly to said south line of Fairfield township ; then
southerly as to the perambulation line between the towns of Fairfield & Norwalk runs to
the west branch of Sagatuck River, & then by said branch till it comes to said dividing
line again. Provided, nevertheless that nothing herein contained shall be construed to
exempt those persons included in this society & taken out of the society of Greenfield
their proportionable part to perform the covenant said society of Greenfield lately made
with Mr. Goodsell, their late pastor, to pay to him a certain sum of money for & in lieu of
his maintenance." *

A tax of three pence on the pound was levied on all the polls and
ratable estates in the colony, and also a tax for all clearing ships out
of the seaport, for the support of the colony man-of-war. A duty of
six pence was levied on every pound of tea brought into the colony. t
It was also enacted that after July a duty of five pounds should be re-
quired for every hundred pounds worth of goods, wares and merchandise,
except such as were exempt from taxation, under fine and confiscation,
if neglected. An act was also passed taxing each peddler, hawker and'
petty chapman five pounds for a license and four shillings for a fee and
reward for the year.

Captain John Read of Reading was commissioned lieutenant-colonel.
and Robert Walker, Esq., major of the Fourth Regiment in the colony. +

It has been seen that Connecticut nobly responded to Earl Loudoun's
call for another year's campaign. Fourteen hundred men were quickly
made ready to march at a moment's warning. Great, therefore, was the

*Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 38. f <^ol. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 10.

t Col. Rec. Conn., XI, 16.

2IO HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i757

surprise and disappointment when it was learned that instead of march-
ing against and reducing Crown Point Great Britain had made a change
in her plans, and the reduction of Louisburg was to be undertaken with-
out delay.

Meanwhile Great Britain had made great preparations to carry on
the war in America. A large fleet of ships, boats and transports bearing
sixty thousand troops sailed in May, from Cork, under the command of
Admiral Holbourn and Commander Holmes, wnth General Hopson to
command the land forces. Loud were the murmurings of disappoint-
ment and indignation among the colonists. The danger of sending the
troops to Louisburg, instead of marching direct to Crown Point and
reinforcing the forts on Lake George, gave them serious reason to fear
that the enemy would entirely sweep away the frontier posts. Nor was
it deemed safe to draw ofT any large body of troops from the colonies.
The enemy having strengthened their fortifications were stronger than
the previous year, and were flushed with pride, having been victorious
against an army of twelve thousand men. However great the vexations
of the magistrates and the officers and troops were at the turn of events,
they w^ere obliged to submit to the dictation of their recently acquired
General-in-Chief. On the 9th of July the Earl of Loudoun sailed from
New York for Halifax with a land force of six thousand men. There
he formed a junction with the forces of General Hopson, who, with six
thousand more men, sw^elled the army to twelve thousand, besides hav-
ing a powerful fleet. Again mortification and disappointment awaited
the colonial troops. Delay on the \ydvt of the Earl of Loudoun in mak-
ing an early attack with his forces gave the French fleet an opportunity
to reach Louisburg and to reinforce the garrison with nine thousand
men. The news of this gain to Louisburg led the Earl of Loudoun and
In's chief officers to believe an attack would be unadvisable. The expe-
dition was re]in(|uishcd. and the ill-conducled campaign ended in the
army returning to New York without having made one advantageous
stroke. Mr. Trumbull remarks: "The British generals in America did
more in two years by the pusillanimity, weakn.ess and inconsistency of
their councils to injure the colonies, than the French could have done
with all their forces." Meanwhile the h^rench took jiossession of the
main forts, destroyed the fortifications south of Lake George and cut
ofT communications with the five friendly Nations. Under General
Montcalm Fort A\'i]]iam licnry was reduced August 9th, with all the

1757] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 211

sad barbaric cruelty of the Indians upon its retreating forces; and all
the valuable batteaux and vessels which had been built within two years,
at great expense and labor, to convey the army up the lake to Crown
Point, were destroyed. General Webb, in command of Fort Edward,
although aware of the approach of the French, remained safely in his
fortifications and sent a letter to Colonel Munroe, which was intercepted
by Montcalm, advising him to resign to the enemy. His conduct during
the previous year, with his utter neglect either to reinforce Colonel
Munroe, although he had four thousand troops with him, or to alarm
the country, gave him the well-earned reputation of having been a
traitor. When all this terrible destruction was over, he made an attempt
to alarm the country. Even Albany was now threatened. Large rein-
forcements were speedily sent from Connecticut, New York and the
northern colonies. Connecticut sent on in a few days five thousand men,
which, added to the fourteen hundred sent before, amounted to six
thousand five hundred soldiers. Although General Webb was thus
largely reinforced, he made no effectual effort for the defence of the
frontiers. One expedition after another failed. Devastation, fire and
the sword laid waste valuable settlements on the Mohawk river and val-
ley and along the frontiers. And yet there were twenty thousand regu-
lar troops besides the provincials in the field. As the winter approached
most of the provincial troops returned home, while the regulars went
into winter quarters at Albany.

By this time the colonists fully realized the incapability of their Eng-
lish commanders, as they regarded the loss of the valuable forts taken
by the French and all their boats wholly due to their inactivity, lack
of enterprise and military skill. They turned with natural pride and
confidence to their own military officers, and felt that they would
surely have triumphed under their leadership. On all sides the con-
duct of the English commanders and officers was an unendurable
disgrace.

The General Assembly of Connecticut met at New Haven, October
13th, and continued by several adjournments until November 3d, when
it was voted : " Whereas in the late alarm & march of the militia, a great
part, perhaps more than half thereof, proceeded either the whole or part
of the way on horse-back & the residue marched on foot, & that many
either wholly or in part subsisted at their own expense on their march,
while others obtained food at public & private houses, besides blankets

212 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i757

(S: knapsacks & other necessaries, they should be suitably remunerated
according to their just rights & necessities."

At the request of the Earl of Loudoun that the Connecticut regi-
ment should be dismissed, except two hundred and eighty men to re-
main with him during the winter as rangers on the frontier, it was voted
to detach three companies of ninety-four men each from the troops at
Fort Edward until their time expired in March.

A bounty of three pounds was ordered to be paid to each of the
volunteer officers & men who should respond to this call, and thirty shil-
lings to such men as were retained in the service. These were to be
taken from Regiment No. 4, at Fort Edward, under Colonel Phineas
Lyman and Lieutenant-Colonel Nathan Whiting. Jonathan Trumbull
was appointed to provide all necessary clothing for them, such as " warm
cloth & coating, blankets, good flannel shirts, yarn-hose & good shoes."*

The new ship of war which had been built was named the " Tartar,"
and ordered to l)e made ready to cruise along the coast to watch the
enemy, and to protect our trade in the West Indies.

A tax of one and a half-penny on the pound was levied on the polls
and taxable estates of the colony.

As the continuance and formidable as])ect of the war left no reason
to expect any long exemption from a further demand for forces, it was
agreed that they should hold the colony in readiness to join a Council
of War with the other New York and New^ England colonies when neces-
sary. Judge Ebenezer Silliman was chosen one of these gentlemen, as
a commissioner, in behalf of the Connecticut Colony, when notified to
attend such gathering. t

Lieutenant-Colonel John Read of Reailing was prcMuotcd anil com-
missioned colonel, Major Robert Walker lieutenant-colonel, and Cap-
tain James Smedley of Fairfield major of the Fourth Regiment of the
colony. Mr. Ebene;^er Banks was commissioned captain of the train-
band of Greenfield, and Mr. Joseph Squire captain, Mr. Abraham Gold
ensign, and Mr. Ichabod Wheeler lieutenant of the first train-band of
Fairfield. Mr. Elias Bates was commissioned ensign of the train-band
of Reading. +

The taxes raised in the town of b\-iirrield since the l)rcaking out of
the wars with Spain and France were very heavy. In May, 1753, it was

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 59-62. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 59-64.

I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 67-69.

1757] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 213

voted to raise sixpence on the pound, old tenor, on all polls and taxable
estates to defray the expenses of the town. In December, 1754, four
pence old tenor was levied, and December, 1755, three farthings on the
pound was levied in bills of credit in lawful money. In the year 1754
Nathan Bulkley became the town clerk and collector of taxes. A penny
on the pound was levied December 24, 1756.

At a town meeting held at Fairfield, November 14, 1757, the follow-
ing vote was taken : That Major James Smedley, Captain Samuel Burr,
Captain Simon Couch, Captain Thomas Nash, Lieutenant John Bradley,
Joseph Bradley, Jr., Daniel Morris and Sergeant John Burr be a com-
mittee to provide fire-wood and other things necessary to be provided
for the soldiers that are expected to be billeted within this town, at the
charge of the town.*

At the October session of the General Court, upon the memorial of
John Cable and others living in the northern part of the parish of Green-
field representing that as they lived near the parish of Norfield and
remote from the church at Greenfield, requesting that their own estates
and those of others with a small strip of land be annexed to the parish
of Norfield, the Court granted that a strip of land bounded as follows
should be added to the parish of Norfield, viz. : " beginning at the south-
east corner of the said society of Norfield by Aspetuck River, thence
north-easterly by said river to the west side of the mile of common, thence
following that course to Reading parish line, thence westerly by said
Reading parish line, to the northern bounds of said society of Norfield.
said tract being about one hundred & sixteen rods & fourteen feet wide
from east to west, & bounds westerly on said parish of Norfield." At
the same time provision was made that all persons living in the above
tract of land should be taxed with the inhabitants of the Greenfield church,
according to their contract with that parish for the maintenance of the
Rev. John Goodsell.f

The Rev. Mr. Goodsell, who had been the pastor at Greenfield for
a period of thirty-one years, and who now labored under the infirmities
of age, was granted an assistant. The Rev. Mr. Burrit of New Fairfield
was first invited to preach " as a probationer." Mr. Jonathan Elmer was
also a candidate; but finally the congregation gave a unanimous vote,
which consisted of seventy-seven voters, that the Rev. Seth Pomeroy of
Northampton should be invited to preach at Greenfield as a probationer.

* Fairfield Town Records. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 80.

214 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i757

A committee consisting of John Gilbert, Joseph Bradley and Daniel
Sherwood were appointed to extend the invitation of the parish to Mr.
Pomeroy, and on the 8th of December, 1757, Mr. Pomeroy was ordained
pastor of the church at Greenfield.

Captain Moses Diamond, Captain Daniel Bradley, John Gilbert,
Joseph Bradley, Jr., and Daniel Sherwood were appointed a committee
of arrangements for the ordination.

The introductory prayer was made by the Rev. Sanmel Sherwood,
the sermon by the Rev. Noah Wells, the prayer of ordination by the
Rev. Moses Dickinson, the charge to Mr. Pomeroy by the Rev. Noah
Hobart, the right hand of fellowship by the Rev. Daniel Buckingham and
the concluding prayer by the Rev. Jonathan Ingalls.*

In the month of August, 1757, the Baptists at Stratfield met at the
house of John Sherwood. The Rev. Joshua Morse and Rev. Daniel
Whipple being present, received the testimony of the members of the
Baptist church, by which they united in the desire that they regarded
Mr. John Sherwood " was called of God to be a witness in the Gospel of
Christ." But a short time elapsed when the Elders and Messengers
from the Baptist churches at New London and Groton met with their
brethren at Christ's Church in Stratfield, and " did by solemn prayer &
fasting separate the aforesaid Bro. John Sherwood, & ordain him to the
work whereunto God had called him, & did in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ commit unto him the watch & care of said church."

The Rev. John Sherwood was about forty-three years of age when
he was ordained, and had occupied a prominent place in the Congrega-
tional Church at Stratfield, having been on the Committee of Prudentials,
clerk of the society and a frequent messenger of the church to the meetings
and associations in the county. He is described as having been " a man of
large stature, of superior physical strength, & possessing no small degree
of energy & firmness in carrying out the convictions of duty & right, t

The Rev. Noah Hobart, with the other fellows of Yale College, met
at New Haven June 29, 1757, and after examining and approving the

* Appendix — Genealogical.

f There is a tradition that his wife possesseil remarkable gifts both in exhortation and prayer ;
and frequently the people expressed a desire that she might exercise her gift in place of a sermon
from him. Soon after Mrs. Sherwood died her husband retired from the duties of a pastor in 1767.
The house where he lived, where the church was organized, where he was ordained, and where he
died is yet standing, occupied as a ilwelling, and until quite recently was in the possession of one
of his descendants. — History of Stratfield Baptist Church by Rev. A. N. Benedict.

1753] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 21$

disbursement receipts of money expended in building Connecticut Hall,
they proceeded to thank the president " for his great care, labor & gene-
rosity " in the late improvements and prosperity of the college.

1758. By a special order of Governor Fitch, the General Assembly
met at New Haven, March 8th, and continued by adjournment until the
24th of the month. Governor Fitch laid before the Assembly a letter
dated December 30, 1757, from the Right Honorable William Pitt, his
Majesty's principal secretary of state. This letter set forth the King's
great disappointment over "the last inactive & unhappy campaign";
that he had nothing more at heart than to repair the losses, " not
doubting but that his faithful & brave subjects in America would cheer-
fully cooperate with & second to the utmost, the large expense & extraor-
dinary succor supplied by his kingdom for their defence & preservation;
& his Majesty judging that Connecticut, together with Massachusetts
Bay, Rhode Island, New York & New Jersey, who were more immedi-
ately obnoxious to the main irruptions of the enemy from Canada, & to
each of which similar orders had been sent, were able to furnish 20,000
men to join a body of the King's forces for invading Canada, & carry-
ing the war into the heart of the enemy's possessions. He further sig-
nified it was his Majesty's pleasure, that with all possible dispatch a large
body of men should be raised in Connecticut, to begin a campaign, as
soon as possible, & that no encouragement be wanting it had been re-
commended to Parliament to grant a suitable compensation as their
active & strenuous efforts should justly appear to merit."

The General Assembly voted : " that notwithstanding the colony, when
acting with the other northern colonies in their several Expeditions
against Crown Point, had raised a much greater number of men than
their just proportion, by means of which their men were greatly dimin-
ished & their strength much exhausted; yet that nothing may be want-
ing on the part of the colony to promote the design, it was proposed by
his Majesty that five thousand men be raised as speedily as possible."

The soldiers were to be formed into four regiments, consisting of
twelve companies each, for the invasion of Canada by the way of Crown
Point. Each volunteer who should furnish himself with clothes, powder-
horn and shot bag, was granted a bounty of four pounds, one month's
pay in advance and a blanket and knapsack before marching. A table of
money was arranged to pay each officer and private.*

* Col. Rec. Conn., XI, 92-94.

2l6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1758

Pliineas Lyman was commissioned major-general of the colony forces,
colonel of the first regiment and captain of the first company; Nathan
Whiting colonel of the second regiment; Israel Putnam major of the
third regiment; John Read colonel of Fourth Regiment and captain of
the second company; James Smedley lieutenant-colonel and captain of
the second company; Reuben Ferris first lieutenant; John Burr. 3(1,
second lieutenant, and Ebenezer Couch ensign of the second company in
the Fourth Regiment. Samuel Hubbell captain, John Benedict first
lieutenant, Jedediah Hull second lieutenant, and Solomon Morehouse
ensign of the seventh company. The Rev. Jonathan Ingersoll was com-
missioned chaplain for the Fourth Regiment.*

It being found impossible to raise money otherwise than by an issue
of bills of credit, it was enacted that thirty thousand pounds in bills of
credit, equal to lawful money, should be stamped, bearing interest of
five per cent., payable before May, 1762; to redeem which a tax of eight
per cent, on the pound was levied on all the polls and ratable estates in
the colony, on the October list of 1760, and paid in the treasury December
31, 1 761. As soon as the money exj^ected from England towards de-
fraying the expenses of the war should be received it was to be applied
towards discharging these bills of credit ; and if a sufficient sum should
be received before Octol)er. 17^)1, to pay olT the borrowed money, this
tax was to become null and void.

In order to pay the volunteers u|)on their return a tax of nine pence
on the pound was levied on all ])olls and ratable estates in the colony
of the list of October. 1757, and paid into the treasury on the 31st of
December, 1758.

Judge Ebenezer Silliman. Jonathan Trumbull and William W'olcott.
Esq., were appointed commissioners of the colony to meet with the com-
mis.sioners of other New England colonies, and those of New York and
New Jersey, at Hartford, on the 19th of April, to devise ways and means
to further this expedition.

An embargo was laid upon all shij^s and vessels leaving the colony
before May, and they were not to sail without the consent of the gover-
nors under forfeiture of one hundred pounds. It was also voted that
in case the other northern colonies should fail in exerting themselves
to raise their (|uota. so as to prevent the enemy from proceeding, the
Governor and Council of War was given power to recall the troops of

* Col. Rec. <'oiin., Vol. XI, pp. 95-99.

1758] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 21/

the colony. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., and Colonel Phineas Lyman were
appointed to inquire into the siege and surrender of Fort William Henry.

Thus far Great Britain had been most unfortunate in her war with
France, both on the continent and in America. A change in her min-
istry became absolutely necessary. It was at this time that the cele-
brated William Pitt and his associates were established in the ministry,
with power to appoint such able men as they believed would carry out
the designs of the nation with success. Able men were selected of known
ability and courage. Plans were adopted for a vigorous campaign against
the French in America. The reduction of Louisburg was first to be
undertaken. General Abercrombie was made commander-in-chief of the
American forces.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May nth, when Judge Eben-
ezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were chosen Assistants, and
Mr. David Rowdand and Mr. William Burr deputies from Fairfield.
Ebenezer Silliman was appointed one of the Judges of the Superior Court,
and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County and Probate Courts of
Fairfield.

The full quota of five thousand men not having been raised, the chief
ofTficers of each train-band were authorized to impress every sixth man
out of his company to fill the full number required. The soldiers thus
detached were to be under the command of the colonels of the standing
militia of the colony, who were authorized to place them under the control
of the next officer in command of the campaigns going into the service.

Mr. Andrew Spalding was commissioned chaplain of station Number
Four, and Gideon Wells of Fairfield surgeon of the Fourth Regiment.

It was deemed necessary to send Mr. Jared Ingersoll of New Haven
to England to assist Mr. Partridge, who had for several years acted as
agent and attorney for the colony of Connecticut, to represent and secure
the best interests of the colony before the King and Parliament, and to
solicit reimbursement for all the colony had spent in the last unfortunate
campaign. Mr. Richard Partridge was authorized by legal papers to
receive all moneys granted to the colony of Connecticut and send them
to the Governor and Company, to be paid into the treasury.

David Rowland of Fairfield was appointed to accompany John Led-
yard to Albany, to make application for the money due the colony " for
billeting & carriages supplied to the troops."*

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 129.

2l8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [iTSS

" Considering the awful aspect of Divine Providence on the protestant
nations, & particularly in our nation & land in the calamitous & threat-
ening progress of a destructive war," the governor was requested to
issue a proclamation for a day of fasting and prayer throughout the
colony, " suitable to such important & interesting events & prospects."*

The treasurer of the colony was ordered to pay the town of Fairfield
for quartering Colonel Frazer's Highland Battalion the sum of four
hundred and forty-nine pounds sixteen shillings and three pence. Mil-
ford, Stratford, Norvvalk and Stamford also received from four to three
hundred pounds each for quartering parts of this battalion, f

Mr. Ephraim Sanford was commissioned captain of the train-band
of Reading.

The Assembly granted public lottery tickets in the town of Fair-
field to raise one hundred pounds by way of remunerating Sarah Keeler
of Ridgefield and Thomas Gibs of Milford and his wife Hannah, for the
loss by fire of a house belonging to them in F'airfield, in which Captain
Saint Leger and his Majesty's Forty-eighth Regiment had been quar-
tered. Ebenezer Wakeman, David Burr and Gold Sellick Silliman were
appointed to conduct this lottery, t

Jonathan Trumbull w^as appointed to be paid for the clothing sup-
plied to the rangers at Fort Edward and Station Number Four during
the past winter.

A committee was appointed to examine the usual roads often traveled
by the troops through the towns of Symsbury, New Hartford and Nor-
folk, to and through the northwestern part of Canaan towards Albany,
" & other towns adjacent, & seek a more direct & convenient way for
the benefit of the troops & carriages."

The Assistants or Justices of the Peace in each town were required
with all convenient speed to quarter and billet recruiting ofiicers; to
supply each captain for his diet and small beer one shilling per day, for
each horse six pence sterling, and for each foot soldier for diet and small
beer four pence per day. As it was found necessary to quarter some of
his Majesty's regular troops during the winter, the Assistants and select-
men of each town were ordered to find rooms for them in houses, and
to even impress rooms if they could not otherwise be found. They were
to provide the ofiicers and soldiers with candles, vinegar, salt, small beer

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 130. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. Kjo.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 217.

1738] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 2(9

and necessary utensils for dressing and eating their meat, at the rate of
three pence per day. The enhsted soldiers for the expedition were or-
dered to be exempt from poll taxes.*

In November John Whittier was granted liberty from the town '* to
erect a small dwelling house in Fairfield on the southerly side of the
county road, near where his bell foundry-shop is now standing."

While the colonies were making vigorous preparations for the war,
England in February sent a powerful armament under Admiral Bos-
cawen, with fourteen thousand troops on board, under the command of
General Amherst and Brigadier-General Wolfe. They arrived in
America, and on the 28th of May set sail from Halifax and appeared
before Louisburg June 2d. The French made every possible resistance,
but such was the skill and effectual tactics of Generals Amherst and
Wolfe, that on the 26th of July Louisburg capitulated. St. John was
also taken, and the whole coast from the St. Lawrence to Nova Scotia
fell into the possession of Great Britain. General Forbes (commander
of the southern forces), with about eight thousand from Philadelphia,
was equally successful in his attack upon Fort Du Quesne, over which
the English fiag floated on the 24th of November. He renamed the
fortress Fort Pitt, in honor of William Pitt.

General Abercrombie, with an army of fifteen thousand men, was
not as successful in his attack upon Fort Ticonderoga July 5th. Lord
Howe was killed July 6th, having fallen in contact with the advance
guard of the enemy. The suddenness of the attack, the yells of the In-
dians and the fall of Lord Howe so disconcerted the troops, that al-
though the provincials made a brave resistance, they retreated to Fort
William Henry. General Bradstreet, in command of a force of provin-
cials from New England and New York, captured Fort Frontenac Au-
gust 27th, opened communication between Albany and Oswego and
gave the English the command of Lake Ontario, thus shutting off Mont-
real and Quebec froni the French fortifications on the west. Peace was
established with the Indian tribes along the Ohio and the upper lakes,
and a treaty was formed with them by which the frontiers of Virginia
and Pennsylvania w^ere secured.

The defeat of General Abercrombie was regarded with intense morti-
fication by the New England and New York forces, as they outnum-
bered the enemy about four to one. They had never been pleased with

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 178, 215.

220 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^759

this general, and his mismanagement of his splenchd army led them to
hold him in bitter contempt, as he had proved himself wholly inefficient
as a general. " They called him Mrs. Nabbycrombie. implying that petti-
coats would much better become him than breeches."

The other victories of this year, however, stimulated the colonies to
renew their desire to defeat the enemy at every point, and to drive them
from the country.

1759. By special order of Governor Fitch the General Assembly met
at New Haven, February 7th. Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel
Andrew Burr were present as Assistants, and Mr. David Rowland and"
Mr. William Burr as deputies from Fairfield.

In consideration of the colony having paid large taxes during the
war. and had lately paid two taxes, one towards discharging the expenses
of the campaign and the other for discharging the bills of credit emitted
in March, 1755, " & not being in a capacity to supply timely money for
raising forces for the ensuing campaign," the Assembly voted that twenty
thousand pounds in bills of credit equal to lawful money be printed,
bearing five per cent, interest, payable at or before the first day of May,
1763; and for sinking and discharging the bills of credit a tax of five
I)ence on the pound was levied on all the polls and ratable estates in
the colony, to be paid into the Assembly in October, 1761, with the
additions, which were to be paid into the colony treasury by December.
1762.

The colonels or chief officers of each regiment were ordered to de-
mand of each captain over a company of soldiers a true and exact roll
of his officers and soldiers, and all persons within the limits of their
companies were required to exhibit their arms for inspection from six-
teen years of age to seventy. They were also required to make a com-
plete roll of all such as by law ought to be in the train-band, which rolls
were to be attested by the town clerks and sent to the colonels of each
regiment.*

Tlic Assembly met again at Hartford March Stli. when a letter from
the Right Honorable William Pitt, dated December 9, 1758, Avas read,
in which he set forth " his Majesty's ambition to follow up the victories
of the past year, by making vigorous efforts to repair the disappointment
at Ticonderoga, & all dangers which might threaten North America from
irruptions of the French "; in fact, the entire su1)jugation of Canada and

* Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. XI, j). 214.

1759] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 221

all the French possessions in America were to be undertaken by Great
Britain. It was suggested that twenty thousand troops should be raised
in the colonies to join a body of the King's troops for the invasion of
Canada by way of Crown Point, and carrying the war into the heart of
the enemies' possessions.

The Assembly voted, " to raise a larger body of men than it was able
fully to complete upon a diligent trial & exertion," although many sent
on the last expedition had died and become disabled; while others were
engaged in making batteaux and carriage service, by which strength
and treasure were exhausted, so that they had been obliged to issue
large bills of credit and to borrow money of the neighboring provinces,
without the means of refunding them, unless the King granted a liberal
supply to the colony; but placing the utmost confidence in his encourage-
ment, it was voted to raise three thousand six hundred men as soon as
possible, which was as many as the colony was able to allow. These sol-
diers were to be formed into four regiments of ten companies each.
Every able-bodied man who had previously served in the army, and
should again volunteer for the campaign, was granted a bounty of four
pounds sterling. The colonels and chief officers were to impress men
into the service if the companies were not filled before April.*

Major-General Phineas Lyman was commissioned colonel of the
first regiment, Nathan Whiting of the second, David Wooster of the
third and Eleazer Fitch of the fourth. Israel Putnam, who had com-
manded the rangers, was made lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Regi-
ment, David Wooster was commissioned colonel, and James Smedley
lieutenant-colonel of the third regiment and captain of the second com-
pany, with Captain Josiah Walker for his first lieutenant, Ebenezer Couch,
Jr., second lieutenant, and Stephen Thorp ensign of the second company.
The Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy of Hebron was made chaplain of the Fourth
Regiment, and Gideon Allen of Fairfield surgeon of the Third Regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel Israel Putnam was made captain, with John Cotton
for his first lieutenant, and John Spalding, Jr., ensign of the second com-
pany in the Fourth Regiment. Each surgeon was granted an assistant,
called a surgeon's mate. Commissaries were appointed for each regi-
ment of the colony, who were to be paid at Albany, f

Forty thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be printed,
bearing interest at five per cent., payable on or before March, 1764, to

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 221-223. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, . 221-229.

222 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i759

redeem which a tax of ten pence on the pound was levied on all polls and
taxable estates in the colony, and with the additions to be paid into the
treasury the last of December, 1763. In case timely and sufficient money
reached America from the King before May, 1763, this tax was to be
made null and void. For the immediate use of the soldiers, a further tax
of seven pence on the pound was levied, to be paid before the last of
December, 1763.*

Mr. David Rowland was appointed one of a committee of four to
examine the seven chests of money lately received from Great Britain and
to return their lawful value to the Assembly. Mr. Jonathan Trumbull
was appointed to assist them.f

The usual meeting of the General Assembly met at Hartford, May
10th. Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present
as Assistants, and Mr. David Rowland and Mr. William Burr as depu-
ties from Fairfield. Judge Ebenezer Silliman was appointed one of the
Judges of the Superior Court of the colony. Colonel Andrew Burr was
appointed Judge of the County and Probate Courts of the district of
Fairfield.

Although the colony had agreed to raise thirty-six hundred men in
March, and gave encouragement for raising four hundred more, and
although many in the colony had enlisted with his Majesty's regular
troops during the past winter as rangers, batteaux-men and team-drivers,
and many were in the pay of neighboring colonies by offers of large
sums as substitutes, besides the loss of men by death and disability, it
was agreed to push and exert their utmost endeavors to raise one thou-
sand more men, in addition to the four thousand already agreed upon.
Every able-bodied man, as well as non-commissioned officers, who had
previously served in the late campaigns, who should enlist in the present
campaign was granted full pay, to be computed from December ist
until May 5th, and every able-bodied man who now enlisted and had not
hitherto served in the army should receive a bounty of seven pounds,
besides thirty-five shillings to purchase a necessary outfit, one month's
pay in advance before marching, and be supj^lied with a good blanket
and knapsack. ^

Nehemiah JUut of Fairfield was commissioned ensign of a company
in the Third Regiment, under Captain Samuel Whiting of Stratford.

* Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 235-237. \ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 237, 23S.

i Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 251.

1759] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 223

" For the good order of the army," it was voted to phice a l)rigade-
major over the troops of the colony, and also an armorer for each
regiment.*

Ten thousand more pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be
printed, bearing interest of five per cent., payable before May, 1763, to
redeem which a tax of two pence one farthing on the pound was levied
on all polls and taxable estates in the colony, with the additions to be
paid into the treasury the last day of December, 1762.

David Rowland, Esq., was appointed one of a committee '' to repair
with convenient speed to Albany," and apply to General Amherst for
a settlement of the former accounts for billeting his Majesty's troops, and
to pay all bills and money borrowed on treasury notes with interest.!

Mr. Nathaniel Burr, Jr., was commissioned captain, Mr. Ebenezer
Osborn lieutenant, and Mr. Talcott Buckley ensign of the second train-
band of Fairfield.:};

A committee was appointed to receive and adjust the charges of the
town of Fairfield and neighboring towns " for quartering his Majesty's
48th regiment of foot during the past winter, providing fire-wood, &c.,
and for a guard-house & hospital in each of said towns."' §

It appears that his Majesty's regiment of foot made some trouble,
and as their ofificers did not give information against them. Sir James
Cockburn and William Edmondston, captains in the 48th Regiment, were
brought before the Court of Fairfield and New Haven for transgressing
the laws of Parliament in not delivering over to the civil authorities such
soldiers as were complained of for misdemeanors upon proper and legal
demand, and held reprehensible for their lack of respect to the civil au-
thorities of the colony. II

Upon the opening of spring the soldiers of Connecticut and the other
northern colonies under General Amherst were eager to march against
the French. The colonies having in a measure been reimbursed by Par-
liament toward the previous year's expenses, now nobly responded to
Sir William Pitt's design for the conquest of Canada, and placed twenty
thousand men in the field fully armed and equipped. The main expedition
against Quebec was placed under the command of General Wolfe, a young
general of much gallantry and great promise, who had reached America

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 254. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 259.

t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI. p. 263. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 295.

II Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 296.

224 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i759

with a large fleet under Admirals Saunders, Holmes and Durel, and an
army of eight thousand regular troops. The expedition under Gen-
eral Amherst was to march by way of Ticonderoga against Montreal.
While a third, under General Prideaux, was designed against Fort
Niagara.

Although hampered in his march for want of boats, General Amherst
passed Lake George early in July, and with his spirited colonial forces
marched to Ticonderoga. The French, after a brave defence, on the
27th of July blew up their magazines and marched hastily to Crown
Point. Remaining there but a short time, they evacuated that post and
retired to the Isle of Aux Noix. On the first of August General Am-
herst sent his light rangers forward, and on the fourth he, with his army,
took possession of that island. The conquest of these important posts
gave great satisfaction to the army, and incited them to further efforts
to clear the country of their enemy and their Indian allies on Lake
Champlain, where the French had four large vessels well mounted with
cannon and manned with the pickets of several regiments, under the
command of Captain Le Bras and a number of French ofificers. The Isle
of Aux Noix was occupied with a strong force of three thousand five
hundred men, and well mounted artillery under the command of General
de Bourlemaque, who regarded his position strong enough to command
the lake and prevent the English army from passing into Canada. To
capture the French vessels. General Amherst ordered a sloop to be built
of sixteen guns and a radeau of eighty-four feet long to carry six twenty-
four pounders. While these vessels were being built by Captain Loring.
who had superintended the building of all the boats on Lake George,
the army was employed in repairing and strengthening the fort at Ticon-
deroga and making the fort at Crown Point impregnable against the
scalping and burning parties which had been so destructive to the set-
tlements on the frontiers of the northern colonies. A detachment of
troops were sent to attack and burn the Indian village of St. Francis,
from which many Indian scalping parties had desolated the frontiers.

General Prideaux having been reinforced by Indians under Sir Wil-
liam Johnson, marched to the siege of Niagara, but was killed on the
i;oth of July by the bursting of a gun. 1 Ic was succeeded by Sir William
Johnson, who, with a force of seventeen hundred regulars and provin-
cials, with their Indian allies, advancing upon the fort, so vigorously
pressed the siege that the garrison surrendered on the 25lh of July.

1759] FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 22$

The women and children_\vere sent by their request to Montreal, and
the prisoners to New York and New England.

The reduction of Quebec now became the chief aim of the English,
but one of the most hazardous of all these undertakings and the most
difficult to be achieved. General Wolfe, with a well-disciplined army
outnumbering that of the enemy under the command of Montcalm, was
chosen to lead in this undertaking.

The latter, having the advantage of strong fortifications along the
banks of St. Charles River, frustrated all the attacks of Wolfe. Nothing
daunted, Wolfe planned to secretly pass up the river and scale the Heights
of Abraham, upon which lies the upper town of Quebec. His men pulled
themselves up the lofty, precipitous banks of the river, and clinging to
projecting roots and stones gallantly made their way to the heights.
Montcalm, finding the enemy in his rear, drew out all his forces and
resolved to make a desperate fight for the city; but his undisciplined
and half famished troops, after a few rallies, fled and were pursued to
the gates of the city. Both General Wolfe and General Montcalm fell
mortally wounded on the field of battle; and although the French made
a brave resistance, in less than a week, on the i8th of September, Quebec
surrendered. Although Montreal was not taken until the next year, the
war in North America was virtually ended.*

Meanwhile General Amherst energetically prosecuted his plan for the
destruction of the French vessels on Lake Champlain. On the nth of
October he embarked his whole army in batteaux under cover of the
vessels Captain Loring had built for him. Assailed with tempestuous
storms, three of the French ships were driven into a bay, two of wdiich
were sunk, while the other ran aground, and was seized by Captain Lor-
ing, repaired and added to his fleet. As the storm continued with vio-
lence. General Amherst decided to end the season's campaign and go
into winter quarters. He, therefore, landed his army and spent the
remainder of the season in building up the walls of the fort at Crown
Point and erecting three smaller forts for its defence. He also opened
roads between Ticonderoga and the colonies of Massachusetts and New
Hampshire. He quartered his troops so as to protect the frontiers from
the assaults of the enemy.

These victories filled the hearts of the colonists with great pride, and
helped them to forget, in a measure, the mortification of their previous

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, pp. 396-416.
15

226 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i750

humiliating defeats. The French army in Canada were now totally sur-
rounded and cut off from all conmiunication with France. Their armies
in Montreal, Trois Rivieres and the Isle of Anx Xoir were in this way
cut off from recruits and provisions. Thus hemmed in, active measures
were arranged for a spring campaign, by way of Lakes Ontario and
Champlain, and through the St. Lawrence to Montreal.

On the iith of October, the day in which General Amherst set out
on Lake Champlain for the destruction of the h^-ench fleet, the General
Assembly met at Hartford. Jndge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel An-
drew Burr were present as Assistants, and David Rowland as deputy.

The first act passed was for a more liberal allowance than the British
]-*arliament had granted for quartering his Majesty's regular troops in
the colonies, and in case the officers and soldiers thus billeted should not
pay their rates of allowance, all orders to do so were to be made null
and void, and the persons upon whom they were cjuartered were to be
paid by the Assembly in full, " for refusing to entertain any longer such
officers or soldiers." For the protection of the inhabitants of the townis
in which the privates might be quartered, " which at other times had
been the occasion of notorious breaches of the peace, to the terror & dis-
(|uiet of his Majesty's good subjects," an act was passed that soldiers
should only carry arms when called into active duty.

Mr. h>,ra Hawley was commissioned captain, Ichabod Lewis lieu-
tenant, John Moss cornet, and Joseph Tomlinson (|uartermaster of the
troop of horse in the Fourth Regiment of the colony.

Mr. Sanuiel Wakeman was commissioned lieutenant of a military
company in Stratfield. Mr. fchabod W'heeler was commissioned cap-
tain. Mr. Abraham (iold lieutenant, and Mr. Samuel Silliman ensign of
the first military company in ]*'airfield. Samuel Mill was commissioned
lieutenant and Stephen FIull ensign of the military company in Green-
field parish in the Fourth Regiment. Daniel Hull was commissioned cap-
tain and Stephen Mead lieutenant of the military company of the parish
of Reading in the l^'ourth Regiment.*

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued this year at £53,358 ys. Cxi.
being larger than any other town in the colony except Norwich, not even
Hartford or New Haven excepted. t This furnishes some idea of what
Fairfield did in keeping up and maintaining its civil, ecclesiastical and
military affairs in the colony.

* Col. Rcr. Conn., \nl. XI, p. 33f)-33<). + Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 340.

17591 FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA 22/

It was ordered that the inliabitants of the town of Fairfield who had
quartered his Majesty's regiment during the past winter, should be paid
the sum of £491 15^. 6d. Milford, Norwalk, Stratford and Stamford were
also reimbursed for quartering parts of the same regiment.

The officers and soldiers engaged in the last campaign were made
exempt from poll taxes.

A committee was appointed to receive the money granted by Parlia-
ment for the last year's campaign.

It was about this period that a climax was reached between the Old
Lights and the New Lights. It appears that several worthy students of
divinity were denied ordination on account of their Calvinistic tendencies.
Meetings of the ministers of the established church had been held from
time to time in several parishes, protesting against the ordination of New
Lights at the Divinity School as illegal and contrary to the regulations
of the consociation of the established church. Strong and bitter were
their controversies. During this year a council, composed of some of
the ablest ministers and literary gentlemen of the colony, met at Walling-
ford, to receive the complaints and excommunication of the Rev. James
Dana of Cambridge, who was to be ordained as pastor over the first
church of that town. Mr. Dana refused to be examined by the consocia-
tion, as he, with his church as his ordaining council, had taken the mat-
ter into their own hands without consulting the Old Lights or Old Divin-
ity School. This was a bold step on the part of the New Divinity School.
The consociations of Hartford and New Haven were called in to unite with
that of Wallingford in council. Mr. Dana and his church were, upon delib-
eration, pronounced " guilty of scandalous contempt." Finding it impos-
sible to prevent his ordination, his followers separated themselves from
the first Society, and were made a distinct society by the consociation.

The Rev. Noah Hobart took an active part in what was then called
the famous Wallingford Controversy, and he set forth in eloquent lan-
guage necessity of council in churches, and that ofTending churches
should submit to examination, or be removed from all Christian com-
munion with other churches.

A general association met at the house of the Rev. Ebenezer White
in Danbury, June 19, 1759, and expressed their approval of the consti-
tution, as they interpreted it, in the following resolutions:

" Resolved by this association that as the consociation of churches is one great thing
that the composers of the platform have in view, as they expressly declare that what affects

228 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^759

all ought to be managed by all; so the ecclesiastical constitution of this colony knows of
no other council, whatever, but a council of the consociated churches of the districts, or in
some cases a consociation of a particular district, united with a neighboring consociation,
called in according to the direction of the constitution."

"Resolved, That it is most expedient for preventing the introduction of unsound &
disqualified men into the ministry, & entirely agreeable to our ecclesiastical constitution,
that the council for the ordination of ministers, to whose province it belongs, over which a
pastor is to be ordained ; & as this has for sundry years been practiced by several associa-
tions in this government, so we recommend it to universal practice, as the accepted plat-
form for the government of the established churches."

In October the General Assembly ordered :

"That a certain book, entitled, 'A Confession of Faith,' owned & consented to by
the Elders & messengers of the Churches in this Colony of Connecticut, in New England,
assembled by delegation at Saybrook, Sept. 9th, 1708: printed at New London anno Dom.
1710, be (inclusive of the preface thereof) in all the parts of it carefully & exactly re-
printed ; & that the same to the number of two thousand copies be bound with sheep-skin
& distributed to the several towns in this colony; according to their public lists given in
to this Assembly in its present session; & that Hezekiah Huntington, Esqr., Mr. David
Gardener & William Williams, Esqr., or any two of them, be a committee to procure the
same to be done accordingly, at the charge of this government." *

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 333. Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, Chapt. XXV.

CHAPTER XIII
176(^-1770

SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION

Quebec taken. — 1760. — Political and military officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Boston fire col-
lection in churches. — Renewed attack on French possessions. — Montreal taken. — Congratula-
tions to the King and to General Amherst. — Money sent from England. — Thanksgiving day
throughout Connecticut' — War with Indians. — 1761. — England calls for more troops. — Troops
raised. — Officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — King's proclamation. — Ecclesiastical laws sent
to towns. — Money from England. — Bridge across Saugatuck river. — Pitiless war against
Indians. — Peace declared. — England's drain upon American colonies. — Answers to England
about trade, etc. — General Amherst calls for troops to protect forts. — Industry of troops. —
Taxable estates. — Ecclesiastical controversies and taxes. — Northfield parish. — New meeting-
house at Greenfield Hill, and call of Rev. Mr. Pomeroy. — 1762. — England calls for more
troops. — Troops raised. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Military officers. — Colonial forces take
the place of English regulars. — More troops raised. — Civil and military officers. — Large bounty
offered. — Embargo on food and grain. — Attack on West Indies. — War against Spain declared.
— Attack on Havana. — Great mortality among troops. — General Amherst reinforced. — Officers
from Fairfield. — Fall of Havana. — Fatality of the New England troops. — Money from Eng-
land.— Abatement of taxes. — Officers commissioned. — 1763. — Peace declared and concessions
made. — Great rejoicing. — Men of Connecticut. — Fairfield's brave course. — Wave of great
prosperity. — Affection and pride of the colonies for England. — Honored men of Fairfield. —
Law for debtors. — Bills of credit issued to pay officers and soldiers. — Taxes levied. — Money
granted by England used for billeting her soldiers, etc.— A day of thanksgiving appointed. —
Col. Andrew Burr inspector of army accounts. — 1764. — Fresh Indian conspiracy. — Civil and
military officers. — More troops ordered out. — Bills of credit. — English taxation burden-
some.— Check upon industrial prosperity. — Protest against stamp duties, etc. — Peace with
western Indians. — Intellectual impetus. — Stamp Act. — Benjamin Franklin's discovery of
electricity. — Church officers. — Protest against Stamp Act. — Jared IngersoU's English appoint-
ment,of Stamp Distributor.— Colony expenses laid before parliament. — 1765. — Account of war
and colony taxes sent to England, etc. — Civil and military officers. — Golden Hill Indians. —
Congress of colonies held in New York. — Resolution. — Treatment of Stamp Act Commissioner.
— Public protests. — Rise of Sons of Liberty. — Great excitement. — Refusal to use English
importations. — Home industries used only. — Proceedings of Congress indorsed by General
Assembly. — Petitions to king and parliament signed and sent to England. — Golden Hill
Indians. — A public fast. — Stamp Act ignored. — 1766. — Stamp Act repealed. — Ecclesiastical
controversies at Fairfield. — Connecticut refuses Stamp Act Oath. — Governor Fitch and four
others take the oath. — Their mistake. — Civil and military officers. — Repeal of Stamp .\ct. —
Letter of gratitude to king and parliament. — Public day of thanksgiving. — Oath of allegiance
to George III, rejecting pretensions of James III. — Taxes for schools. — Act to preserve shell-
fish.— Church of England convention at Stratford. — Petition for bishop. — 1767. — General
Gage requested British troops to be quartered in Fairfield and towns adjacent. — Civil and
military officers. — Increase of school money. — Reading petitions for a distinct township to

230 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1760

be named Redding. — King's troops quartered in the colony. — Mile-stones. — 176S. — Civil and
military officers. — Guardian of Golden Hill Indians. — British renewal of taxes. — Resistance,
riots, and indignation. — American patriots. — Non-importation. — Rise of Sons and Daughters
of Liberty. — Petition to the King and Colonial Secretary. — Letter to Massachusetts Assembly.
— Death of David Rowland, Esq. — Fairfield jail and court-house burned by Frazer. — New
court-house and jail on the Meeting-house Green. — Draining salt marsh at Green's Farms. —
Church of England purchased Glebe land. — 1769. — Separate troops of horse in Fourth Regi-
ment.— Civil and military ofRcers. — Effort to remove court-house and jail to Norwalk defeated.
— New military exercises. — Death of Governor I'itkin. — Jonathan Trumbull elected governor.
— Resolutions to sustain colonial rights and liberties.— Search for land titles. — Death of Col.
John Burr. — Powder-house.

1760. The victories gained during the past decade over the French
in Canada had not fully conquered them. The English and colonial
forces retired into winter quarters, feeling that the frozen condition of
the lakes and rivers would hold the French in check ; but this proved to
be a mistake, as the latter's ambition to regain their lost possessions led
them with great energy and courage to undertake the recovery of Quebec.
General Murray, in command of the English forces, while a brave man,
resorted to rash measures in an attempt to give open battle to the
French forces, rather than risk the hardships of a siege. A severe battle
was fought on the 28th of April at Sillery, where the English were de-
feated with the loss of most of their artillery, and at least one-third of
their army. General Murray, however, resolved not to be defeated in
the end, and marched with his forces to the relief of Quebec, where, with
his soldiers, he greatly strengthened its fortifications, and mounted on
the ramparts one hundred and thirty-two pieces of artillery. In vain the
French endeavored to dislodge him. With his brave army, he awaited
with impatience the arrival of reinforcements from the English fleet,
upon which his safety depended. This succor came on the 22(1 of .\pril,
when the English fleet, under the command of Lord Colville, sailed up
from Halifax, and, after many detentions from fogs and wind, anchored
off Point Levi. The whole French fleet succumbed to the fire of the
British guns, and was- entirely destroyed. On the i6th of May, in the
darkness and silence of the night, the French forces retreated, leaving
" their whole camp, artillery, implements & provisions behind them."
This signal victory gave great courage to the colonists that the whole
of Canada would soon be con(|uore(l and the I'rcnch dri\on from the
country."'

Meanwhile the General .Assembly nict at Hartford, on the 13th of

* TrumbuH's Hist. Conn., \ ol. 2, pj). 416-422.

1760] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 23 1

March, when Judge Ebenezer Sihiman and Colonel Andrew Burr were
present as Assistants, with Mr. David Rowland as deputy. A letter was
read from the Right Honorable William Pitt, calling for further efforts
from the colonies for the entire reduction of Canada. Without hesitation
the Assembly, " firmly relying on the royal assurance for reimbursement,
& zealous to promote to the utmost these important designs," resolved
to raise and equip five thousand men with all possible dispatch, to co-
operate with the King's forces. The troops to be raised were to be
divided into four regiments, each regiment to consist of twelve companies.
Each enlisting officer w^as granted five shillings for every able-bodied
man he should enlist; and every non-commissioned officer and soldier,
who had been in any former campaign, was granted full pay from the
15th of December, 1759, until the 4th of April. To every volunteer, who
should furnish his own clothing, etc.. a bounty was granted of four
pounds, and " a further bounty of thirty-five shillings for a lapelled coat
for the service."

The sum of seventy thousand pounds in bills of credit was ordered
to be struck off, bearing five per cent, interest and made payable March
I, 1765. A tax of six cents on the pound was levied on all polls and rat-
able estates in the colony, with the additions to be raised and paid into
the colony treasury the last day of December, 1761. " And also that one
other tax of nine pence on the pound be granted and levied on all polls
and ratable estates in the colony, to be brought into the Assembly in
October, 1763, with the additions, and paid into the colony treasury by
the last day of December, 1764. In case Great Britain sent in a sufficient
sum of money to redeem this issue of bills of credit before the taxes were
collected, they were to be made null and void. To supply the immediate
need of the treasury & to pay the officers & men for the present expedi-
tion, a further tax was levied of ten pence on all polls & ratable estates."

Phineas Lyman was commissioned major-general of the colony forces.
James Smedley of Fairfield w-as commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Cap-
tain Ebenezer Couch. Jr., of Green's Farms first lieutenant, Peter Fair-
child of Stratfield second lieutenant, and Stephen Thorp of Fairfield
ensign of the second company, under the command of Colonel David
Wooster of the Third Regiment.*

Inoculation for smallpox was made a punishable offence, unless done
under a certificate given by a major part of the civil authorities of each
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 355.

232 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1760

town, and every person thus inoculated was required " to be assigned to
such house or houses, & kept there until the nurses & tenders, after their
cleansing, should deem it prudent for them to go out."

The Assembly met again at Hartford on the second Tuesday in Ma}^
when Judge Ebenezer Silliman was also present in his ofifice as an as-
sistant, and was appointed one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of
the colony. Colonel Andrew Burr was made Judge of the County and
Probate Court of Fairfield.

Mr. Daniel Wheeler was commissioned ensign of the train-band in
the northern part of the parish of Greenfield, in the Fourth Regiment of
the colony.'''"

Great quantities of onions were raised in the colony at this time and
sold in ropes or bunches of five pound weight by orders of the Assembly,
well cured, dry and firmly bunched, under a penalty of six pence falling
short of the weight.

Governor Fitch laid before the Assembly a letter from the Governor
of Massachusetts, appealing for aid for the poor among the inhabitants
of Boston, who had suffered severe loss by a great fire in that city on
the 20th of March. It was recommended that each town raise a contri-
bution in their several churches. Mr. David Rowland was appointed to
receive the contributions for this purpose in the County of Fairfield, t

Since the taking of Fort William Henry some trouble had existed in
filling the regiments on account of the large demand which had been
made upon the colony. The Assembly, therefore, offered an additional
bounty of forty shillings to those already granted, provided volunteer
officers and men, who had already served in the army, should offer them-
selves to fill the ranks before June. An increase of four shillings a month
was also added to the pay of non-commissioned officers, who had or
should enlist for the expedition, i

Upon the opening of spring General Amherst planned for the reduc-
tion of Montreal, where the main part of the French army was concen-
trated. Three routes were decided upon by which to reach Montreal.
General Haviland was detached and sent by way of Lake George, Crown
Point and Champlain. General ?^lurray was ordered to march with as
large a force as he could safely withdraw from Quebec, through the
river St. Lawrence; while General Amherst himself was to lead his re-

* Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 376. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 385.

X Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 3S7.

i76o] SEVEN YEARS' WAR AND REVOLUTION 233

maining forces by way of Lake Ontario and down the St. Lawrence. A
large number of small vessels and batteaux had been built for conveying
troops, artillery, baggage, etc., up the lake, while Captain Loring cruised
on Lake Champlain with three armed vessels.

Early in June General Amherst moved with several regiments of
troops from Albany to Schenectady, by w^ay of the Mohawk and Oneida
River to Oswego. The difficulty of conducting so large an army with
its necessary equipment from Albany to Oswego was very great, but
the General accomplished his march in less than three weeks. He now
found himself at the head of an army of ten thousand regular and pro-
vincial troops, and one thousand Indians under General Johnson. Pro-
ceeding cautiously through the St. Lawrence, he destroyed the French
vessels which he encountered, and attacked and reduced Isle Royal on
the 25th of August. He repaired the fort at that point, and made every
preparation to convey his troops and stores down the St. Lawrence, be-
tween which point and Montreal he had to encounter the dangerous falls
of that river. With all his precautions, some " ninety men, nearly fifty
batteaux, seventeen whale boats and one galley, some artillery, provisions
and ammunition were lost." After a tedious voyage of two months and
seventeen days from the time the army left Schenectady they encamped
within six miles of Montreal.

Meanwhile General Haviland had taken possession of the Isle Noix
while crossing the country to the St. Lawrence by the most direct route.
General Murray landed on the island the same day that General Amherst
took possession of it. General Haviland with his forces reached the
other side of the river at a point opposite the city. Mr. Trumbull re-
marks : " Thus, through winding & devious routes, after many hardships
through the enemy's country, had the three divisions simultaneously
reached the place of rendezvous Sept. 6."

Seeing this formidable army surrounding Montreal, Governor Vau-
dreuille sent a letter of capitulation to General Amherst. By the end
of a week, after many letters had passed between the two generals, the
articles of capitulation were agreed upon, and on September 8th the
"whole country, embracing Quebec, Montreal and all the French posses-
sions, surrendered to Great Britain. The troops were allowed the honors
of war, although " to be treated as prisoners, & to be sent back to France
on condition of their not serving during the war." They also were al-
lowed to retain the w'orship of the Roman Catholic Church.

234

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD L^T^o

The magnificent manner in which this campaign was conducted, with
the loss of so few men and with so httle shedding of blood, reflects the
highest praise upon the generals of each army.

A fleet which had been sent out by France with troops and military
stores for the relief of Montreal, upon learning of the capitulation, at-
tempted to form a settlement on the Bay, hoping to reach the main army
by land. In this plan, however, they were discovered by Lord Byron, who,
with three ships of the line, broke up their settlement and obliged the
whole fleet to surrender.

The victory which had crowned the brave efforts of the colonies
spread universal joy throughout the country. Gladness followed weary
hours of anxiety and perplexity. Connecticut became then, as it always
has remained, the banner state. Fairfield furnished a liberal share of
men, arms, money and provisions. Her sons stood out among her sister
colonies as the bravest of the brave.

The General Assembly met in New Haven on the second Tuesday in
October, when it was agreed to send a letter of congratulation from the
Governor and Company of the Colony to the King, on the glorious suc-
cess of his arms, specially in North America. It was also resolved to
address a letter to General Amherst, " congratulating him upon the happy
success of his Majesty's arms under his care & direction, & giving him
thanks for the beneficent care & wise conduct & protection of the troops
under his command, & especially the provincial troops of this colony."

A special thanksgiving was appointed in all the churches of the colony
on the 23d of October.

A committee was appointed to receive and sell seventeen thousand
pounds sterling of the money granted by Great Britain in the service of
1759, to be paid into the treasury as soon as it should be received by the
agents of the colony.

David Rowland of Fairfield was appointed, with Jonathan Trumbull
and John Ledyard, to pay and discharge the treasury notes for the money
borrowed by them, " from whom & on what account," out of the colon\-
treasury.*

The taxaljle estates of I'\'iirficld were valued at £55.072 i K>r. 6d.

Mr. Benjamin Fairweather was commissioned ensign of the train-
band of the parish of Stratfield in the Fourth Regiment. "l"

No sooner had the colonists hoped that war was at an end than the

* Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 437-439. f Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 467.

1761] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 235

ill-usage of the Indians by the Governor of South Carolina infuriated the
Cherokees, who had in vain endeavored to make honorable peace with
them. They attacked Pontiac, a famous Ottawa chief, who, by his native
skill and eloquence, had united all the north-western tribes to conspire
against the English in their newly-invested posts, all of which, except
Detroit, Fort Pitt and Fort Du Quesne, at a secret preconcerted plan,
fell under the vengeance of Indian fury. Their garrisons were massacred
and the frontier settlements were attacked and suffered greater devasta-
tion than ever before. Troops sent out to quell them were put to death
in the most cruel manner.

1761. Governor Fitch held a special Assembly at New Haven, March
26th, and read before them a letter from the Right Honorable William
Pitt, urging upon the colony the necessity of holding the enemy in check,
and calling for two-thirds of the number of men raised during the pre-
vious year, to protect his Majesty's possessions in America. He repre-
sented that the British troops would be required to further " some great
& important enterprise against the enemy." To this request, although
the colony had been taxed far beyond its capacity in men and money,
the Assembly agreed to raise twenty-three hundred men, to be enlisted
and equipped with all possible dispatch, " to march to such places in
North America as his Majesty's Commander-in-Chief should appoint, in
the absence of his regular forces." The forces were to be formed into
two regiments of twelve companies each, with their officers. The sum
of five shillings was given to each enlisting officer, and a bounty of eleven
pounds to every volunteer officer and private who furnished their own
clothing and arms, and had previously served in the army; while a bounty
of seven pounds was granted to every newly enlisted volunteer furnished
in the same manner.*

To further* this expedition a sum of forty-five thousand pounds in
bills of credit was ordered to be struck off and made payable on or be-
fore March 26, 1761, with five per cent, interest, to redeem which a tax
of five pence was levied on all polls and taxable estates in the colony, to
be paid into the treasury the last day of December, 1763. Also a tax of
seven pence on the pound was ordered to be levied, according to the list
of taxable estates in 1774; with the additions paid into the colony treas-
ury the last day of December, 1774. Still another tax of four pence on
the pound was levied to pay the soldiers to be immediately enlisted, t

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 480. \ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 4S2-484.

236 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1761

which tax was to become null and void in case timely money from Great
Britain reached the colony to pay the troops.

Phineas Lyman was commissioned colonel of the First Regiment,
Nathan Whiting colonel of the Second Regiment, James Smedley was
made lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment and captain of the
second company, with Noble Bennedict as first lieutenant, Benjamin
Summers second lieutenant and David Rumsey ensign. The Rev. William
Cooke was made chaplain of this regiment, and Gideon Wells of Fairfield
surgeon.*

The Assembly requested the Governor to cause to be read the King's
proclamation for the encouragement of piety and virtue, and the suppres-
sion of vice and immorality, in all the ecclesiastical societies in the colony,
on the Sabbath days next preceding the first Mondays in January and June.

"The books of Heads of Agreement & Articles of Discipline &c.;
called the Saybrook Platform, which had been printed, were ordered to
be packed in bundles, & sent to each town according to their portion in
the list of taxes in 1760."

Thirty-four thousand pounds, including seventeen thousand pounds
of the money which the colony agents in London had received and
banked there for safe keeping, was ordered to be sold, and the Governor
was empowered to draw proper bills of exchange on their agents for
such purchased sums.f

The regular General Assembly met May 14th at Hartford. Colonel
Andrew Burr and Judge Ebenezer Silliman were present as Assistants,
and Mr. David Rowland and Mr. David Burr as deputies from Fairfield.
Ebenezer Silliman was made one of the Judges of the Superior Court of
the colony, and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County and Probate
District Courts of Fairfield.

Phineas Lyman was commissioned major-general of the Connecticut
forces for the ensuing campaign. Dr. Gideon Wells was appointed di-
rector of the hospital stores, medicines and instruments for the army, t

A committee was appointed to receive of the colony treasurer " all
such bills of credit as were ordered to be sunk whether brought in by
rate or exchange, & to burn them to ashes."

A memorial was presented to the Assembly by Nathan Adams and
others of the town of Fairfield and Norwalk, praying that they might

* Col. Rcc. Conn.. Vol. XI, pp. 4S4-487. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 489-

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 503.

I76i] SEVEN years' WAR AND REVOLUTION 237

build a bridge across the Saugatuck River between the county and post
road to New York.*

Mr. David Rowland was appointed one of a committee to examine
the sutler's accounts with the soldiers, and to protect them against over-
charges.f He was also made one of another committee, with Jonathan
Trumbull and William Woolcott, to receive the sterling money sold by
order of the Assembly in 1759, which amounted to £22,000 sterling money
with the receipts taken for the money paid into the colony treasury to
deliver them into the hands of the secretary of the colony, that it might
be known what amount of money was in the treasury, t

The frightful and pitiless fury of Indian vengeance still continued and
spread along the entire western and southern frontiers of the English
settlements. General Amherst was urged to send immediate assistance
to the southern colonies. He dispatched Colonel Montgomery without
delay with a force of twelve hundred chosen men. Other companies
from North and South Carolina and Virginia joined his forces, and al-
though he attacked the Indians with great bravery and unsparing sever-
ity, he was unable to subdue them, and returned to Fort Prince George,
leaving the southern settlements to the mercy of the infuriated Indians.
Early in January another expedition was sent by General Amherst, under
Colonel Grant, against the southern and western Indians; and so vigor-
ously and savagely were they pursued by rifle, sword and fire, that over
fourteen Indian settlements and fourteen hundred acres of corn were
burned. Their women and children fled to the forests to starve and live
on nuts and such food as they could find.

Even after this inhuman attack upon the Indians, although their chiefs
had previously in vain attempted to make peace with the Virginians and
the South Carolinians, did they find it an easy task to yield to honorable
terms of peace. " What a scene of bloodshed and desolation, both with
respect to them & to the colonies," says Dr. Trumbull, " was the conse-
quence of the haughty, unjust and perfidious treatment of the Indians,
by a few base & murderous people among ourselves." — " Pride, injus-
tice & bloody measures, in the course of providence, commonly met a
recompense in their own way." And now that peace was agreed upon
" both parties wished that it might last as long as the rivers should run
or the sun shine."

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 560. f Col. Rec. Conn. Vol. XI. p. 562.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 563.

238 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1761

The northern colonies pursued a wiser and more pacific course with
the Indians, whose friendship they had cultivated, and with whom they
were now able to enter upon terms of friendly alliance. Trade was ag^ain
opened with them. The border planters returned to their plantations.
Wider fields were opened west of the Alleghanies and the lakes, by which
the enterprising New Englanders found homes and advantageous trading
posts and farms.*

The mother country had not prospered in her war with France. The
great powers of Europe favored France. Spain also now became the
friend and ally of the latter country; in fact. Great Britain was under a
war-cloud with all the European powers. She was greatly reduced in
her resources, having incurred a debt of over a hundred million. In her
misfortunes and surrounding dangers she turned to her American colo-
nies for assistance, and resolved to employ them to her utmost advantage.

The General Assembly met at New Haven on the 8th of October.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman, Colonel Andrew Burr and David Rowland.
Esq., w^ere appointed a committee to assist the Governor in reviewing
and completing answers to the queries sent this year to the Governor
and colony, by the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations in
Great Britain. The selectmen were ordered '* to make a list of the in-
habitants of each town, whites and blacks, and send them to the Gov-
ernor on or before the first day of January next."+

A reply to the inquiries sent to the Governor and Company of Con-
necticut from the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, was
dated Connecticut. September 7, 1762, a summary of which gives an
account as follows :

" The situation & boundaries of the colony, the nature of its soil, climate, principal
rivers, harbors, value of exports & imports; 114 small ships of 3527 tonnage, with 651 sea-
men ; the principal employment of the colonists being in subduing & improving the land ;
& that nothing was done in the woolen or linen manufactory, than to supply the deficiencies
of what our produce enables us to purchase from abroad, mostly made for laborers &
servants : ' no work of any kind being carried on hurtful to Great Britain.' The imports
from Great Britain ' were almost all sorts useful in common life, valued at about £100,000
sterling; but little other trade with the nations; exports about £150,000. The natural
products, timber, grain, cattle, horses & swine; plenty of iron ore; 141,000 whites, & about
4,590 blacks. 'Ihe muster roll of militia is 20,264, '-who spend their own time, supply them-

* TrumbuU's Hist. Conn., Vol. 11, Chapt. XXI.

f Col. Kcc. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 573. These answers maybe found in the .\ppendix. " No re-
turns," reports Mr. Charles J. Iloadley, "of this census are to be found in our archives, and the
following details are all tiiat I have obtained from other sources." — Note, vol. XI, p. 574.

i76i] SEVEN years' WAR AND REVOLUTION 239

selves with arms, &c., & are no expense to the colony.' The principal seaport, New London :
Indians about 931, many living in families & in small tribes, peacefully & generally orderly;
no Indians bordering on the colony; revenues raised by tax on polls & personal estates;
duties about £4000, one-eighth of which was appropriated to schools & the remainder to
support the government, except in time of war. The constitution of the government, a
General Court, its officers, other courts, laws, &c. ; a military force of thirteen regiments,
officers, &c."

This reply to the. Lords of Trades and Plantations was signed by
Governor Fitch and Deputy Governor William Pitkin. The following
officers signed from Fairfield : Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel An-
drew Burr as Assistants of the General Assembly, Ebenezer Silliman
one of the Chief Judges of the Supreme Court; Colonel Andrew Burr,
David Rowland and John Read Judges of the Inferior Courts, and
Thomas Hill Sheriff; military officers Colonel John Read, Lieutenant-
Colonel Robert Walker, and Major James Smedley of the Fourth Regi-
ment.*

General Amherst applied to the Assembly for more troops to be for-
warded, " & kept in winter quarters for the protection of the forts &
country in general." It was agreed to enlist two hundred and twenty-
six able-bodied men, including two captains and four lieutenants of the
troops in the service and pay of the colony. A bounty was offered of
forty shillings and one month's pay in advance to each enlisting officer
and soldier. General Amherst was advised to dismiss the other troops
of the colony then in camp.

The forces raised' in the colony this year employed their time in mak-
ing new roads, strengthening the fortifications and posts which had been
taken from the French, erecting other forts and, in fact, placing the
country in every possible degree of strength against a further invasion
from without.

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £56,684 t8.t. 4^/.

Asa Spalding of Fairfield was appointed surveyor of lands within
the County of Fairfield.

While the Rev. Mr. Hobart still continued ably defending the cause
of the established church of the colony by long controversies with the
ministers of the New Light churches, the members of the Church of
England at Fairfield made the following appeal to the General Assembly :

" On the memorial of Nathaniel Perry & Zaccheus Morehouse, &c., church wardens &
vestrymen of Trinity Church, so called, within the first society in Fairfield, showing to this
* Col. Kec. Conn., Vol. XI, pp. 628-633.

240

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1761

Assembly the great difficulties the professors of the Church of England belonging to said
Church labour under, with respect to repairing their said church or meeting-house for
divine worship, for want of power & authority to tax themselves for such purpose ; pray-
ing for relief in the premises : "

It was resolved by the Assembly :

"That the church wardens & vestrymen of said church, or the major part of them, be
& hereby are (on five days' notice) fully authorized & impowered to call the members &
professors of the Church of England, belonging to said church, to meet at such time &
place as they shall appoint, when & where being so met, they shall be & hereby are fully
authorized & impowered by their major-vote to grant such rates & taxes to be levied &
collected from such professors as aforesaid as shall be necessary for the purpose of repair-
ing such meeting-house or church. And they are also hereby further authorized & im-
powered to choose a committee to manage the repairing of such house, & to appoint a
collector to collect such rate or tax, who shall have the same power & authority to collect
such rate or tax & be accountable therefor in the same manner as other collectors by law
are; & any one Assistant or justice of the peace is hereby empowered & directed, on
application to him made by such committee, to issue such warrant for collecting such rate
as by law they are empowered & directed for collecting other rates & taxes."' *

The northwestern part of the town, afterwards called Xorth Fair-
field, had increased in population to such an extent that they at this time
applied to the Assembly for parish privileges as follows :

"Upon the memorial of John Gilbert, &c., inhabitants of the northerly part of the
parishes of Stratfield & Greenfield, & of the westerly part of the parish of North Stratford,
m the county of Fairfield, praying this Assembly that they may be made a distinct ecclesi-
astical society & that their limits may be defined ; & that a committee may be appointed to
view their circumstances & situation & make report, &c."

It was resolved by the Assembly,

" That Samuel Olmstcad Esqr. of Ridgefield, Samuel Fitch Esqr. of Norwalk & John
Fowler Esqr. of Milford be & are hereby appointed a committee to view the circumstances
of the memorialists, & make a report of their opinion to the General Assembly to be holden
at Hartford in May next." f

At Greenfield the Rev. John Goodsell, now well stricken in years,
saw the fruits of his past labors blessed in the goodly numbers which
filled the old meeting-house. Under the pastorate of his assistant, the
Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, the society continued to flourish; and although many
of the congregation had become members of the Congregational churches
at Norfield and North Fairfield, it became apparent that the old meeting-
house was no longer large enough for the congregation. Many repairs,
too, were needed, and the propriety of building a new church became a
subject of serious consideration.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p.528. f ^'"l- l^cc. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 586.

1761] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 24 1

On the 14th of February, 1760, a parish meeting was called, and
after due deliberation they

— " voted to build a new meeting-house, & to have it stand on the place where stands a
monument of stones; & that Samuel Bradley, Jr., be a committee to apply to the County
Court in behalf of the parish to affix & establish the described place for the meeting-house
to stand on. Also voted that the dimensions of the new meeting-house shall be sixty feet
in length, 42 feet in breadth, & have a good proportionate, well built steeple." In Novem-
ber following it was voted " that as many pews as can with convenience be laid out, on
the ground floor of the new meeting-house, by joiners that understood the business, & the
spots or places so laid out shall be fairly sold to the highest bidder, and the money raised
to defray the expenses of the house. Also voted, that those who purchase the spots or
places be obliged to build their pews by a limited time, & to build them uniform & alike."*

The arrangement made about the pews in November, 1761, was as
follows :

We the subscribers being appointed at the meeting on the loth of November last to
sell the spots or pews then voted to be laid out in our new meeting-house for pews to be
erected on, have, according to the vote of the parish at their above said meeting relating to
said pews, laid out & sold the above said spots or places in the manner following, namely,
with the assistance of David Bradley, Jr. : Beginning at the east side of the south double
door, have laid out the spots or places for pew No. i, & so successively laid out & numbered
all around the house till we come to the west side of said double door, they being No. 26;
& have also this day sold the above spots or places, except pew No. 15, for the purposes
aforesaid to the following persons, with the sum of each spot or place annexed to his
name, which persons are obliged by the conditions of said vendue to have their pews well
built & completed upon their own cost or charge by the first day of October next, or forfeit
the same to the society.

The owners of these pews were as follows :

£. s. I. s.

Gershom Banks, pew No. i 14 I5 Gershom Bradley, No. 14 20 3

Samuel Bradley, No. 2 16 10 Reserved for Society, No. 15

Obediah Hull, No. 3 20 7 Nehemiah Banks, No. 16 24 0

Daniel Sherwood, Nq. 4 12 2 Ebenezer Banks, No. 17 20 10

Joseph Hill, No. 5 20 7 Joseph Bradley, Jr., No. 18 27 10

Cornelius Hull, No. 6 17 3 John Banks, No. 19 17 0

Daniel Sturges, No. 7 10 o Samuel Whitney, No. 20 15 4

Moses Wakeman, No. 8 15 o David Williams, No. 21 15 o

David Bradley, No. 9 24 o Benjamin Sherwood, No. 22 17 14

Gershom Hubbell, No. 10 26 12 He^ekiah Bradley, No. 23 12 11

Gershom Bulkley, No. 11 23 15 Samuel Bradley, Jr., No. 24 23 i

Jonathan Diamond, No. 12 23 i David Banks. No. 25 20 5

John Jennings (2), No. 13 20 7 Daniel Bradley, No. 26 12 5

* From the Rev. Henry B. Smith's Discourse of the " One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary
of Greenfield Congregational Church, May 18, 1876.
16

242 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1762

During the following year (1762) this church was completed. It was
a fair and elegant edifice for those times, and in point of architecture
greatly superior to that of the neighboring churches. Its tall, well-pro-
portioned spire became a beacon alike to travelers and to sailors. From
its belfry the steeples of the churches at Fairfield, Bridgeport, Stratford,
Milford, Long Island, New Canaan, Reading, Northfield, Green's Farms
and Canaan could be seen; and such a variety of charming views of Long
Island Sound and the surrounding country that it has been justly re-
marked by Mr. Barber : " No other spot in Connecticut can show such
a commanding, extensive & beautiful prospect." Five light-houses were
also seen from the belfry — viz., one on Norwalk Islands, Eaton's Neck,
Black Rock, Stratford Point and New Pasture Light. On a clear day
the East Rock near New Haven is distinctly seen.

A most interesting poem was written of this extensive \iew by the
Rev. Dr. Dwight,* entitled " Greenfield Hill."

1762. Again Governor Fitch was urged by Great Britain to raise all
the forces possible for the protection of his Majesty's possessions in North
America.

Twenty-three hundred men and officers were ordered to be raised
and equipped forthwith, and formed into two regiments of twelve com-
panies each.

A larger sum of money being required for this purpose than the
treasury could afford, it was ordered that sixty-five thousand pounds in
bills of credit should be raised, payable on or before March 4, 1767, to
refund which a tax of six pence on the pound was levied on all the polls
and ratable estates in the colony, according to the list to be brought into
the Assembly in 1763, with the additions, and paid into the treasury by
December, 1764. " One other tax of eight pence '" on the pound was
also levied on all the polls and ratal)le estates of 1765, with the addition
to be paid into the treasury at the end of December, 1766.

Fearing that another issue of bills of credit might decrease the value
of those already ordered to be emitted, a further tax of two pence three
farthings on the pound was levied on the last October list, to be paid
into the treasury by the last of December. It was also voted to appro-
priate all the remaining money in Great Britain, granted by Parliament
in 175H, 1759 and 1760, not vol made use of, to be used as a sinking
fund for the discharge of the bills of credit emitted in those years; and
* Appendix — Genealogical, Dwight.

1762] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 243

that, if the said moneys should be sufficient to redeem the bills, the new
taxes should not be collected.

Phineas Lyman was commissioned major-general of the forces and
colonel of the First Regiment; Israel Putnam lieutenant-colonel, and
John Durgee major of the First Regiment.

Nathan Whiting was commissioned colonel of the Second Regiment;
James Smedley lieutenant-colonel, and David Baldwin major of the
Second Regiment. James Smedley was also made captain of the second
company; Noble Benedict first lieutenant, Benjamin Summers second
lieutenant, and David Rumsey ensign of the second company in the
Second Regiment.*

England at this time was obliged to draw off many of her regular
troops from America to serve in her war with France, Spain and her
island possessions. In consequence, General Amherst made a demand
on Connecticut and the other colonies to fill up his regiments with pro-
vincials, promising to give a bounty of five pounds of New York money
to each man not under eighteen and not over forty-five years of age,
who should enlist for this service, to be clothed and enter into immediate
pay during the war, or until his regiment should return from Europe.
To this request the Assembly ordered that five hundred and seventy-five
effective men should be raised. Besides the bounty offered by General
Amherst, an additional bounty of five pounds was granted to each officer
and man who should enlist volunteers at this time.f

The town records of Fairfield show yearly collections of taxes to de-
fray the war expenses of the colony, according to their taxable polls and
estates, ordered by the General Assembly.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 13th. Judge Ebenezer
SilHman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants, and Mr.
David Rowland and Mr. David Burr as deputies from Fairfield. Eben-
ezer Silliman was appointed one of the Judges of the Superior Court of
the colony, and Colonel Andrew Burr Judge of the County and District
Probate Courts of Fairfield.

Mr. James Morgan was established captain. Mr. Daniel Lyon lieu-
tenant, and Mr. Henry Lyon ensign in the east division of the parish of
Reading in the Fourth Regiment; Mr. Nehemiah Sanford ensign of the
train-band in the west division of Reading.

Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., was made lieutenant, and Mr. Abel Hall ensign

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XI, p. 618. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. .\I, pp. 613-623.

244

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1762

of the train-band in the north part of Stratfield and North Stratford in
the Fourth Regiment/^'"

That soldiers might be encouraged to enlist in the regiments which
had been ordered to be raised on the 4th of March, an additional sum of
forty shillings was added to the five pound bounty granted to each volun-
teer, in case the regiments should not be filled before the 15th of August.

Four hundred pounds were sent to General Lyman for the comfort
of the troops under his command, " who are ordered to the southward."

To prevent the sale of food to the enemy, or carrying it secretly out
of the colony by persons desiring to obtain large prices for it, so that the
commissaries might find it difficult to supply the army, an embargo was
placed upon barrels of pork, beef, wheat, Indian corn and rye until the
15th of July. All such stores found in vessels were ordered to be seized
for the use of the King's troops.

Active preparations were made in England to strike a severe blow to
the enemy, and thus bring about terms of peace. It was decided to at-
tack and reduce the West India Islands. In this undertaking many of
the provincial troops of North American colonies were engaged. ]\Iar-
tinique was taken February 14th. England declared war against Spain
soon after, and her possessions in the West Indies also became a plan
of conquest. A powerful fleet, under Admiral Pocock, sailed from Ports-
mouth, England, March 4th, and formed a junction. May 27th, with a
squadron from Martinique, under the command of Sir James Douglas.
The land forces in these ships and transports amounted to ten thousand
men, under the command of Lord Albemarle. These were reinforced
by General Amherst with four thousand from New York and a consider-
able number of provincials, making in all an army of from fifteen to six-
teen thousand officers and men. On the 5th of June the troops were
landed, and the reduction of Havana begun. For two months a most
energetic siege was made against this almost impregnable stronghold.
During the month of July one half of the troops died from heat and
fever. Five thousand soldiers and three thousand seamen were pros-
trated with sickness. The hurricane season was near at hand, and the
hearts of the officers and men began to sink within them as sickness and
death depleted their numbers. Just as they were almost on the verge of
despair, the Northern troops reached them, which revived their hopes
and gave renewed animation in carrying on the siege.

* Col. Rc'c. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 9.

1762] SEVEN YEARS' WAR AND REVOLUTION 245

Three ships had previously been sent north with sick troops, who,
upon recovery, returned with the others, from New England, and made
a valiant effort in assisting in the reduction of the citadel. On the 13th
of August Havana surrendered, with all the shipping in the harbor and
with one hundred and eighty miles of territory to the westward. Scarcely
any of the New England troops or officers ever returned, as those who
were not killed in battle fell victims to fever and disease.

The General Assembly met at New Haven on the 14th of October.
Two hundred and twenty-six men, two captains and four lieutenants were
ordered to be enlisted to serve under General Amherst, for the protec-
tion of the forts and country in general. A number of the troops be-
longing to the colony were stationed at Crown Point, and their officers
were instructed to induce their own men to re-enlist for the winter, offer-
ing them a bounty of three pounds in addition and a month's pay in ad-
vance to that which they had already received. Lieutenant David Rum-
sey, and Dr. Ebenezer Jesup as surgeon from Green's Farms, were among
those who served at this time under Colonel Nathan Whiting.* Four-
teen hundred pounds was ordered to be sent to Colonel Whiting for the
return of such of his men that did not care to remain in the fort, and for
the comfort of those who should remain during the winter.

It is a matter to call forth the pride of travellers from Connecticut,
who now look upon the crumbling fortifications of Crown Point, Ticon-
deroga and Lake George, that those of her soldiers who left their homes
and went forth to protect these forts were the men who also helped to
erect and strengthen them. Our soldiers at this time were never idle.
They continued to erect new posts, open up and improve new roads, build
houses for the troops and to clear the passage-way to the forts for troops
and transportation purposes.

The Assembly had the satisfaction of learning from their agent in
London " that he had received on the account of the colony for the ser-
vices of 1760, the sum of £44,309 i8.y." The committee appointed to sell
a portion of this grant had already disposed of thirty-five thousand
pounds, leaving a balance of £9.309 i8.y. 6^^., out of which the committee
were now ordered to sell eight thousand pounds for its full value in sil-
ver, gold or bills of credit emitted in 1759. On account of the receipt
of this money the five per cent, tax was abated to three pence on the
pound. t

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, pp. 75 and 76. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, 78.

246 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1763

The taxable estates of Fairfield this year amounted to £57,158 ys. gd.

Mr. Ichabod Lewis was established captain, Mr. John Moss lieutenant,
Mr. Joseph Tomlinson cornet, and Mr. Samuel Blackman quartermaster
of the troop of horse for the Fourth Regiment.

Mr. Samuel Wakelee was established captain and Mr. John Burr lieu-
tenant of the train-band in Stratfield in the Fourth Regiment.

Mr. Phineas Chapman was established captain, Mr. Samuel More-
house lieutenant, and Mr, Thomas Couch ensign of the train-band of
the west parish of Fairfield in the Fourth Regiment.*

1763. To the great joy of the inhabitants of the colony, they had the
happiness to learn that preliminaries of a treaty of peace had been signed
at Fontainebleau by the British and French ministers; which was after-
wards confirmed and signed at Paris on the loth of February. By this
treaty all of North America east of the Mississippi River, which river
should be left open to navigation free of duty, was ceded to Great Britain,
except the island and city of New Orleans, w^hich was to remain in pos-
session of the French. All Louisiana on the left side of the great river,
Florida, St. Augustine, the Bay of Pensacola and all the possessions of
Spain in North America to the east and northeast of the Mississippi were
ceded to England; while England restored all her conquests in the West
Indies to Spain, as well as all right acquired by treaty or otherwise, which
the King of Spain had over the said countries. The subjects of France
and Spain in America were secured the rights of the Roman Catholic re-
ligion. In the fourth article of this treaty the King of France renounced
all pretensions to Nova Scotia, with its dependencies, to the King of
Great Britain, and also ceded to him in full right, " Canada, Cape Breton,
& all the other islands & coasts in the River St. Lawrence."

Great, therefore, was the rejoicing among all the English colonies in
America. For eight years every town in Connecticut had been taxed far
beyond its strength or proportion in size and number of its inhabitants,
besides paying large bounties. " The wealthy gentlemen advanced largely
of their means to encourage volunteers to enlist. Many men had left
their business & farms to enter the army. At the commencement of the
war Connecticut raised one thousand men, and after the battle on Lake
George, September 6, 1755, she dispatched two thousand of her militia;
and at the close of the campaign she had about three thousand men in
active service. Such was her zeal for the undertaking that in 1756 she

* Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. XII. 85. 86, 87.

1763I SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 247

sent two thousand five hundred men, which was twice as many as General
Amherst requested to be sent; but this was done fearing the southern
colonies might not send their quotas. In 1757, Connecticut not only
armed & equipped fourteen hundred men upon the request of the General-
in-Chief, but upon learning of the attack upon Fort William Henry, she
immediately sent five thousand more. For sometime she had from five
to six thousand men in service. This readiness to respond so generously
to his demands led General Amherst to call upon .Connecticut for five
thousand men, or all the troops she could spare for the next year's cam-
paign. The cost of the war from 1755 to 1762 inclusively, after deduct-
ing the parliamentary grants, amounted to upwards of four thousand
pounds."

Substitutes were obtained only by private individuals paying large
sums. Officers of the militia and private persons in raising and equip-
ping volunteers often received no compensation. Many comforts sup-
plied by the mothers, waves and daughters amounted to a large sum, for
loving care never counts on sums expended. Beside the regularly en-
listed men, many others entered into the larger pay of some of the other
colonies, and into the regular British regiments, and ships, and on priva-
teers. Great was the loss sustained by the death of the flower of her
young men, for none responded more freely or bravely than the youth
of Connecticut. Greater still w^as their loss to their families, to the im-
provement of their business and farms, besides the demoralization in re-
ligion and education which always follows in the w-ake of a devastating
war " for war is unfriendly to literature, destructive to domestic happi-
ness, & injurious to piety & the social virtues. The country thirsted
for peace."*

In all this large supply of soldiers, in heavy taxes, in employment of
substitutes and in donations of money and comforts for them, Fairfield
bore a large share. Her magistrates in the General xA.ssembly seemed
never weary of the burden laid upon them, using their best talents and
wisdom and encouraging every call for the prosecution of the wars of
Great Britain to a successful issue. The Meeting-house Green witnessed
many drillings of her volunteers by her brave officers; while weeping
mothers, wives and children saw their loved ones depart, many of them
never to return. The town quartered many of the British soldiers, be-
sides many prisoners taken from the French. Penfield's mill baked thou-

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, 451-457-

248 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1763

sands of barrels of bread to be sent from time to time to the soldiers.
From Black Rock Harbor glided vessel after vessel, bearing her soldiers
and laden with provisions at New London for Canada by the ocean, and
up the Hudson to Albany, for the forts and posts to be stormed and
captured for Great Britain. Never were more earnest prayers offered
in her churches and homes than went up for the safety, success and
return of her brave and loyal youth. For those who never returned, only
the peace of the Holy Comforter brooded over and nestled in their homes.
For the well, the sick and maimed a joyous welcome awaited their return.

The peace which now followed these years of war, with the pride of
success over the great and valuable acquisitions which had been secured,
brought a wave of great prosperity to all New England. Fighting, as
the American soldier had, under the successful campaigns of a com-
mander-in-chief from England, and with English soldiers, produced a
feeling of kinship, pride and loyal affection towards the mother country
more than ever before experienced. All classes entered with spirit upon
the cultivation of their lands, and bore with pride the taxes laid upon
them, until the public debt, contracted to carry on the war, was in a
short period paid, and the colony was free of debt. Joy, peace and great
prosperity prevailed, and the songs of industry and honest labor once
more were heard throughout the land and in the homes of the sons and
daughters of Fairfield.

The names of Colonel John Burr, Colonel Andrew Burr. Colonel
John Read, Captain James Smedley, Judge Ebenezer Silliman and the
Hon. David Rowland as leaders, and of many other brave men from
Fairfield, during those years of devotion to the success of the colony in
Great Britain's wars, w'iil ever stand out to be honored and revered for
the good they accomplished.

The General Court met at Hartford, Alay I2t]i. Judge Ebenezer
Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as Assistants, and Mr.
David Rowland and Mr. David Burr as deputies. Ebenezer Silliman was
made one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the colony, and Colonel
Andrew Burr Judge of the County Courts and of the District and Pro-
bate Court of Fairfield.

A law was enacted at this time which proved most merciful to in-
solvent debtors confined in jail, by which ui)()n their exhibiting with their
wives' estates, a true copy of their real and ])ersonal property, by which
their creditors might he in ])art satisfied, they should then be discharged

1763] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 249

from debt and set at liberty. Necessary wearing apparel and bedding
of such debtors and of their wives and children were only exempt from
seizure.*

Ten thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be issued at
five per cent, interest, payable before May i, 1765, towards paying the
officers and soldiers in the last campaign and other expenses of the
colony, to redeem which a tax of two pence on the pound was levied on
all polls and ratable estates, to be paid into the treasury by the last
day of December, 1764. A further tax of one penny on the pound was
levied on the tax list of the previous October.

Money granted by parliament for 1761 was ordered to be sold, as
soon as the colony agent in London notified a committee appointed at
this time to receive it.

All persons upon whom had been billeted or quartered his Majesty's
regular forces during the past winter were granted three pence a day
for each non-commissioned officer and soldier.

The Governor was requested " to issue a proclamation, that Wednes-
day the 6th day of July should be observed as a day of Thanksgiving
throughout the colony, for the return of peace, suitable to so important
an event. "t

Dr. Gideon Wells of Fairfield was appointed surveyor of the county.

Mr. Nathaniel Seeley was established captain, and Mr. Abel Hall
lieutenant in the eastern part of North Fairfield, and part of North Strat-
ford. ^

The General Assembly met at New Haven, October 13th. Colonel
Andrew Burr was appointed to inspect the accounts of the pay rolls sent
in, there having been a considerable variance between the returns of
the number of soldiers raised by the colony in 1761 and those sent to
England by General Amherst, and the authentic pay rolls of the sol-
diers exhibited to the officers of the pay roll at Hartford the same year.
The committee of the pay table also had large accounts of supplies for
the hospitals at Havana and Crown Point in the year 1762.

This was the last time Colonel Andrew Burr appeared in public life.
His useful, patriotic and eventful life closed soon after.§

The taxable polls and estates of Fairfield this year were valued at
£59,605 12.9. 6d.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 127. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 137.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 139. § See Appendi.\ — Genealogical.

250 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1764

Soon after peace had been established, and Sir WiHiam Johnson had
visited the Six Nations to confirm peace with them, it was discovered,
through the intrigues of the French and the jealousy among the Indians
on account of the English having unjustly settled beyond their treaty
limits and in the Indian hunting grounds, that a conspiracy, headed by
Pontiac, existed among all the northwestern tribes against the frontier
forts and settlements of the English. At an appointed time nine of the
western posts and settlements were attacked by the Indians and the
garrisons and whites massacred. '' More than a hundred traders were
massacred, 20,000 persons in western Virginia were driven from their
homes by fear of the scalping knife.'' The English were not favorites
with the Indians as the French had been, for the former were more
haughty and indifferent to the native pride and rights of the Indians,
while the French always treated them with more politeness and confi-
dence. In consequence, the border settlements were attacked with a
fiercer fury than they had ever before experienced. Bodies of troops
sent to the relief of the three belligerent forts of Pitt, Detroit and Niagara
were cut to pieces. Two strong expeditions were sent against them,
and after hard fighting it was not until the month of August that they
were induced to make peace.

The Rev. John Goodsell, after a long and honored ministry at Green-
field Hill, died December 26, 1763, in the fifty-seventh year of his age.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Seth Pomeroy.*

1764. A special General Assembly was called by Governor Fitch to
meet at New Haven, January i8th, w^hen two letters were laid before
the Assembly from the Right Honorable Earl of Halifax, one of his
Majesty's secretaries of state, and General Gage, commander-in-chief of
his Majesty's forces in America, requesting that five hundred men be
raised to invade the Indian territories " & to punish them for their per-
fidious conduct." The Assembly objected to this request as " not being
expedient at present; but referred the contents of the letter to a special
adjournment of the court, to be held the second Tuesday in March." The
Assembly met at Hartford, March 8th, and although the colony was in
no way exposed by its situation, yet, for promoting his Majesty's interests
and to assist in putting an end to the great mischief done by the savages,
it was agreed that two hundred and sixty-five men and oflicers shotild
be raised by enlistment with all ])()ssil)lo dispatch, to march to such

* Appendix — (icncalogical.

1764] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 25 1

places in North America as General Gage should judge proper. A
bounty of five shillings was granted to each enlisting olificer, and four
pounds in bills of credit to each non-commissioned of^cer and man who
should provide his own clothing. Each ofificer and soldier was provided
with one month's pay in advance, besides a blanket and suitable knap-
sack for the service.

The treasury " being in no wise able to supply " the money needed
to equip and pay the men, it was ordered that seven thousand pounds
should be issued in new bills of credit, to redeem which a tax of one
penny three farthings was levied on all taxable polls and estates in the
colony, according to the Hst to be brought in 1766, and to be paid into
the treasury by the last day of December, 1767.* Dr. Ebenezer Jessup
of the west parish of Fairfield served as surgeon in this battalion. f

David Rowland, Esq., was appointed one of a committee to settle
with the traders for hospital supplies for the use of the Connecticut
troops in the last campaigns.

During the sitting of this Assembly a committee was appointed " to
take into consideration what they should think expedient for the As-
sembly to do, in order to prevent the revival of the act of parliament
laying a duty on foreign sugars & molasses." Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.,
one of the committee, was requested to ask Governor Fitch " to thank
Richard Jackson, Esq., our Agent in London, for his efforts to prevent
this tax." A committee was also appointed '' to collect such reasons &
arguments in behalf of the colony " that they should deem for her best
interests against this tax.:}: This spirit towards the colonies had existed
for some time, and was therefore not unexpected; but like many other
impositions, the fathers of the colony resolved to use every persuasive
argument before resorting to force.

The industries of the colony had been so prosperous that, having a
greater supply of home goods than they needed, they had ventured to
export iron, hides, leather and hats to the old world with handsome
profits, until England, fearing such competition would affect her own
industries, discouraged their importations. " In such numbers were hats
manufactured, it was argued, that unless some restraint was put upon
them, they would soon supply the whole world."

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, 233.

f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, 249. Hist, of Fairfield, I, p. 360.

t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 240.

252 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1764

The law enacted at the spring Assembly for the relief of insolvent
debtors was repealed.

The usual spring General Assembly met at Hartford on the second
Thursday in May, when Judge Ebenezer Silliman was present as an As-
sistant, and Mr. David Rowland and Captain David Burr as deputies
from Fairfield. Ebenezer Silliman, Esq., was chosen one of the Judges
of the Superior Courts of the colony. David Rowland was made Judge
of the County Courts and of the District Probate Court of Fairfield.

Israel Putnam, who had been one of the bravest and most valuable
officers in the army for several years, was now commissioned lieutenant-
colonel of the colony forces raised this year.*

Mr. David Burr was made captain of the second train-band of Fair-
field.

A letter was read from Mr. Jackson, the colony's agent in London,
dated Alarch 10, 1764, '' relative to creating a revenue in America." The
Assembly " Resolved, that Ebenezer Silliman, George Wylys & Jared
Ingersoll, Esqs.," be a committee to assist the Governor " to collect &
set in the most advantageous light all such arguments & objections as
may justly & reasonably be advanced against creating & collecting a
revenue in America, more particularly this colony, and especially against
effecting Stamp Duties, &c." Copies of their remonstrances were or-
dered to be printed, some of which were to be transmitted to their agent,
Mr. Jackson, in London, and the residue kept and dispersed throughout
the colony, t

The reinforcements sent out against the western Indians during the
spring and summer were in most opportune time, and fought with such
courage under Colonels Bouquet and Bradstreet that the Indians, being
wholly routed at all points, agreed to terms of peace most advantageous
to the English.

The war with the French and Indians was carried on with great loss
of men and money. It has been estimated " that thirty thousand lives
were sacrificed, & about sixteen millions of dollars, of which only five
millions were repaid by Great Britain. "t But the colonists had been
taught in the severe school of military discipline which they had under-
gone for years, to now feci not only how stron.g they were, but well
prepared for any future emergency.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, pp. 249, 250. \ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, 256.

} Weber's Outlines of Universal History, p. 354.

1764] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 253

The advance of civilization had been carried into the far west, along
the Delaware, Hudson and Ohio Rivers. West of the Alleghanies emi-
grants in search of fertile lands found new homes, and villages soon
sprang up full of life and industry. The whole country took on new life,
and trade and commerce flourished in all the principal towns and cities
of the colonies. Printing presses and newspapers flourished, and the
industries of raw silk and linen were carried on with success. Literature
received a fresh impetus, " & the metaphysical writings of Jonathan
Edwards slowly acquired a European reputation. The fame of Dr. Ben-
jamin FrankHn was carried by his brilliant discovery of electricity, to
the bounds of the civilized world." Like the silence which heralds the
dawn of a new era, men and women intuitively perceived that the youth-
ful days of the country had passed, and they had reached the days of
independent liberty of manhood and womanhood.

The wars in which England had been engaged for many years on
the Continent, in the Orient, the islands of the sea and in North America
had involved her in an enormous debt of seven hundred millions of dol-
lars. Some of her prominent men in parliament cast a jealous and evil
eye upon the prosperity of the American colonies, and argued that, as
they were now reaping the benefit of their expenditures in America, they
should help to pay off this debt. The great expense entailed upon the
colonies by Great Britain was not a matter of consideration with them
for a moment. Another administration had succeeded that of Sir Wil-
liam Pitt. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Grenville, with the
assistance of Lord Bute, now proposed a stamp act to replenish the
depleted exchequer of Great Britain.

The General Assembly met at New Haven, October nth. To pre-
vent persons from voting in society or parish meetings to which they
did not belong, each society was ordered to choose a treasurer, who
should have the same power as a town treasurer; and that if any person
not duly qualified to vote for choice of officers, granting rates or any
affair he should be fined the sum of fifteen shillings.

The committee appointed in May, with Judge Ebenezer Silliman, to
prepare an address to the Parliament of Great Britain, giving general and
special reasons and objections to a bill proposing certain Stamp Duties in
North America, now laid before the Assembly a firm and manly protest to
be sent to parliament, which they exhibited in a pamphlet entitled, " Rea-
sons why the British Colonies in x\merica should not be charged with

254 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1765

internal taxes, &c." The Assembly having approved the reasons and
arguments set forth in this pamphlet, ordered them to be sent to Mr.
Jackson, the colony's agent in London, and by him to be laid before the
parliament.*

Mr. Jared Ingersoll, who had the previous year visited England in
behalf of the Susquehanna Company, and who was at this time again on
a voyage thither, was by letter appointed to assist Mr. Jackson, " by his
good advice in matters which might concern the colony." Mr. Ingersoll
returned home the next July with the appointment of Stamp Distributor
for Connecticut, t

Mr. John Burr was established captain, Mr. Benjamin Fairweather
lieutenant, and Mr. Abel Seeley ensign of the train-band in the society
of Stratfield.1:

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £58,814 5^. 2d.

An account of the sums emitted in paper money in bills of credit since
January, 1749, was prepared, to be sent to the Lords Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations, as well as the amount in sterling received from
England from time to time, with the taxes levied each year upon the
colony during the war to redeem the bills of credit. §

1765. The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 9th, when Judge
Ebenezer Silliman was present as an Assistant, and Mr. David Rowland
and Captain David Burr as deputies. Judge Silliman was appointed one
of the Judges of the Superior Court, and David Rowland, Esq., Judge
of the County Courts and District Probate Court of Fairfield.

Mr. David Coley w^as established lieutenant, and Mr. Nathan More-
house ensign of the train-band of Norfield, in the town of Fairfield in
the Fourth Regiment. Mr. Talcott Bulkley, lieutenant, Mr. Hezekiah
Sturges ensign of the second train-band in the town of Fairfield, Mr.
Henry Lyon lieutenant, and Mr. Gershom Morehouse ensign in the
train-band of the east division of the parish of Reading, and Mr. Gideon
Hurlburt ensign in the w^est society of Fairfield. II

The land reserved by the Pequonnock Indians at Golden Hill in
Stratfield had for some few years been a matter of dispute between tlicir
descendants and persons who had seized and occupied them as their

* Col. Kec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 299. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 300.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII. p. 302. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 339.

II Col. Rec. Conn., 12, 348, 350, 351, 353.

1765] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 255

The Indians therefore petitioned the Assembly in 1763 for a restoration of their
lands. " One Tom Sherman, his wife Eunice Sharon, & Sarah Sharon, Indian natives
of Pequonnock, represented that they, together with many other Indians long since dead
or dispersed into other places, were lawfully seized of about eighty acres of land at a
place called Golden Hill in said Pequonnock; that they had many years enjoyed the same
till some few years past, when said lands were all, except about six acres thereof, taken
from them, & they thereof unjustly dissiezed by Gamaliel French & sundry others; &
that in August, 1763, one Richard Hall had unjustly seized the remaining six acres, to
their grievous wrong & injury. They therefore prayed the Assembly to grant them a
restoration of their lands."

The Assembly appointed a committee to examine and to report as
soon as convenient the best thing to be done for the rehef of the Indians.*

A special Assembly was convened at Hartford by Governor Fitch,
September 19th, to take into consideration a proposition '' from the
several other governments on this continent, to send a committee to act
with them, in presenting a petition to the Parliament of Great Britain,
against their acts for levying duties & taxes on the colonies." Jonathan
Trumbull, Esq., Eliphalet Dyer, William Samuel Johnson and David
Rowland, or any two of them, were appointed commissioners to attend
the proposed congress to be held in New York on the first Tuesday of
October following. A letter of instructions was given the commissioners,
" that they should take care to form no such junction with the other
commissioners as will subject you to the major vote of the commissioners
present." They were also instructed to make a report of the resolu-
tions of the commissioners to the General Assembly for their approbation
and acceptance, t

Mr. Jared Ingersoll did not find his ofTfice of Comptroller of the Port
of New London from the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs in
the Plantations, as well as Stamp Distributor, one of the most pleasant.
In his letters relating to the Stamp Act, Mr. Ingersoll says, " he suffered
the indignity of being burned in eflfigy in many towns in the colony."
In consequence of this and other divers tumultuous assemblies, " to the
disturbance of the peace & terror of his Majesty's liege subjects," the
Governor was requested to issue a proclamation, commanding " the offi-
cers of the colony to suppress all riots, tumults & unlawful assemblies, &;
that all his Majesty's liege subjects should aid & assist them in enforc-
ing the laws against such gatherings." + This tax included stamped

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 367. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 410.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 411.

256 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1765

papers, for all judicial proceedings and clearances at the custom-houses
of bills of lading. The colonies were obliged to find quarters and all neces-
saries for the sustenance of soldiers sent into and stationed within their
borders for the enforcement of arrests and punishment for acts of mutiny.

It is, therefore, no wonder that meetings of indignation were held
in many of the towns. Societies were formed throughout the country
under the name of the Sons of Liberty for the purpose of suppressing
The Stamp Act, and to compel its officers to resign their appointments,
as they had resolved that no stamp should be sold in the colony, and that
all stamped paper should be seized wherever it could be found. Com-
panies of men in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New
Jersey soon joined the So7ts of Liberty, until the society became a body
of immense strength.

Town meetings were held to protest against the Stamp Act, which
was carried in procession and burned. Pamphlets and sheets of paper
ridiculing the ministry and chief magistrates and ministers suspected
of favoring it were circulated openly and secretly, with dark threats of
revenge against oppression. Mr. Ingersoll was forced to resign his
office of Stamp Distributor after he had made every effort to hold it.*
The distrilmtors of Stamp Acts met wath even more opposition in Massa-
chusetts, and they, with all the other officers appointed to enforce it in
the American colonies, were forced to resign their offices. James Otis
of Boston eloquently set forth the rights of the colonists, while Jonathan
Trumbull was the master spirit of charter rights in Connecticut. In
Virginia Patrick Henry made an impassioned and eloquent address,
in which he argued that the sole right to tax the colonies was vested
in the General Assembly, in which he was warmly sustained by the
people.

Agreements were entered into " not to ]nn-cliase nor to import any
more goods from England until the Stamp Act should be repealed."
Associations were also formed " to use only American manufactured
goods, & to increase the supply of wool by ceasing to eat lamb or
mutton."

A congress of the committees of nine colonics met in New York,
October 7th, when, in a remarkably firm yet forcible manner, they
agreed to pul)lish a declaration of the Rights and Grievances of t!ic
colonies, and to send an address to the King and memorials to the two

* IloUister's Hist. Conn., Vol. II, pp. 133-140.

1765] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 257

Houses of Parliament. They claimed all the rights and privileges of
British subjects, and specially the right of not being taxed without their
consent. This Congress continued in session a little more than a week;
a leading feature of which was that it gave gentlemen attending it " the
opportunity to become acquainted with each other, & to pledge their
mutual support for the interests of the colonies."

The General Assembly met at New Haven, October loth, and con-
tinued by several adjournments until after the report brought in by the
Commissioners who attended the Congress held in New York. The
proceedings of the Congress were endorsed by the Assembly, and they
authorized Eliphalet Dyer, William Samuel Johnson and David Row-
land, Esqs., as their commissioners, " to sign the petition for & in behalf
of this colony."

Governor Fitch was requested " to forward the petitions to Great
Britain (in order that they may be duly presented), together with a proper
certificate of the appointment of said commissioners, & the doings of
this Assembly."

A letter was sent to the colony agent, Richard Jackson, Esq., advising
him to further the petitions " with his utmost influence, skill & ability;
& to leave no possible means unattempted to secure success in so in-
teresting a matter." It was stated to him, " that Connecticut was firmly
persuaded that the power lately exercised by Parliament of imposing
taxes on the colonies without their consent, & extending the jurisdiction
of the court of admiralty beyond its ancient limits, is inconsistent with
the principles & spirit of the British Constitution, & an infringement of
the essential liberties of the colonists, & we can by no means be content
that you should give up the matter of right, but must beg that you would
in all proper occasions claim & firmly insist upon the exclusive rights of
the colonies to tax themselves, & the privileges of trial by jury; & to
maintain these principles in the most effectual manner possible, as what
we can never recede from. The arguments from inconvenience & the
fatal consequences, both to Great Britain & the Colonies, which must
flow from this exercise of Parliamentary power, are obvious, & will no
doubt be also fully insisted upon by you." He was instructed to avail
himself of all arguments, hints and materials furnished him by the Gov-
ernor, and in every other way " to place the rights of the colonies and the
inconvenience of parliamentary taxation in the most striking point of
light." He was also desired to correspond and unite with them, " for
17

258 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [176?

obtaining a repeal of the last acts of Parliament, so grievous to the
Colonies."*

Declarations and Resolves were voted and passed with but very few
dissenting voices. These resolutions consisted of eleven in number and
are of the highest credit to the fathers of Connecticut. +

The committee ap])ointed to intjuire into and settle the claims of the
Pequonnock Indians, reported

" That they had found the Indian reservation at Golden Hill in the possession of
Richard Hall. Aaron Hawley, Gamaliel P'rench, Joseph Booth, Ezra Kirtland, the Rev.
Roljert Ross, Mary Burret, Elisha Burret, Daniel Morriss, John Burr, Jr., Samuel Porter,
& Sarah Booth, the vt^idow of Joseph Booth, deceased ; & that they had satisfied & settled
with the Indian claimants by giving them a certain piece or parcel of land called Nimrod
Lot.t containing about twelve acres, with the spring at the point of Golden Hill aforesaid,
bounded westerly by an highway, eastwardly by Pequonnock river, northerly by Jabez
Sumner's land, & southerly by a cove & common land, also about eight acres of wood-
land at Rock Hill, to be purchased for them by the petitioners, they also paying to them,
the said Indians, thirty bushels of Indian corn, & three pounds worth of blankets." The
Assembly ratified this agreement, and ordered the petitioners to carry it out to the satisfac-
tion of Thomas Sherman, his wife, and Eunice and Sarah Sharon, natives of Pequonnock.
Thomas Hill, Esqr., the guardian of the Indians, was ordered to see this agreement settled
before the last of January, as well as to receive from the petitioners the sum of £52 lis. 2d.
in order to defray the charges of the Indians in prosecuting the matter. §

The taxable estates at Fairfield were valued at £61,325 4.?. gd.
The following order for a public fast was given :

Considering the present peculiar & perplexing situation of public affairs relating to
this colony, & the dark aspects of Divine Providence with regard to our most dear &
valuable rights & privileges ; & of the difficulties & distresses we are or may be involved in.
Governor Fitch is requested to issue a proclamation as soon as may be convenient by
appointing a day of public Fasting & Prayer, to be attended in this colony, fervently to
implore divine aid, direction & wisdom as the melancholy state of affairs require."

The Assembly granted to David Rowland, Esq., the sum of forty-
seven pounds nineteen shillings and nine pence, over and above what
he had already received for his expenses and service in attending the late
Congress in New York. The same allowance was granted to the other
two delegates.

At the close of the year the Stamj) Act was practically set aside, and
the usual routine of business carried on. The Governor and Judges took
no steps to enforce the Stamp Act. All Europe sympathized with the
colonies. At the head of a large party in Great Britain against this un-

* Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. XII, pp. 420-421. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII. pp. 420-425.

I Nimrod, the name of a Pequonnock Saciieni. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 432.

1766] SEVEN YEARS* WAR AND REVOLUTION 259

just taxation was the great statesman and orator William Pitt, after-
wards Earl of Chatham, who was a powerful advocate of the rights of
the colonies. He was supported in his views by Lords Camden and
Mansfield. These gentlemen, in vehement debate, set forth the tax bill
as " absolutely illegal." Lord Camden declared " that taxation and repre-
sentation are inseparably united. God hath joined them & no British
parliament can put them asunder."

Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who had " undergone a memorable examina-
tion in July, 1765, before the House of Commons, declared that the
Act could never be enforced."

1766. The Stamp Act was repealed March, 1766, to the great joy
and relief of the colonies. At the same time a bill was passed, declaring
the power and right of parliament to bind the Americans, " in all cases
whatsoever," w^hich was regarded as a pretext or connivance to save
the honor of the government. Indemnity was demanded and readily
paid by Massachusetts and New York, '' for the officers of the crown
who had suffered in the late riots."

The ecclesiastical controversies still continued at Fairfield, and the
Rev. Mr. Beach of Reading, in 1765, as secretary of the S. P. G., wrote
that he was engaged with the Independent Ministers " against Anti-
nomianism & enthusiasm, which rage among the Independents," and
that none of his people " were afflicted in any degree with Deism."

The clergy of the Church of England throughout the colony and
country were under the protection of the British Society for the Propa-
gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and were generally supported by
that society. They regarded the uprising against Great Britain at this
time as seditious and disloyal. The Rev. Mr. Beach of Reading was a
staunch advocate for loyalty to the King's decrees. On the 2d of April
the Rev. Mr. Lamson thus wrote to this Society from Fairfield: ''that
anarchy & disloyalty prevailed throughout the country in general; &
that the missionaries were urging their parishioners to be loyal to the
mother country by submission & quiet deportment"; by which means
they " had been exposed to the insults of the enemies of the Church &
state, & threatened with having their houses pulled down over their
heads"; on the 22d of April the Rev. Mr. Beach wrote, "that he had
not been without fear of being abused by a lawless set of men, who style
themselves the Sons of Liberty & who call us enemies to our country.
Jacobites, &c."

26o HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1766

The Rev. Mr. Buckingham of Green's Farms died in May of this
year, after a ministry of over twenty-four years. He was succeeded by
the Rev. Dr. Hezekiah Ripley, who was ordained pastor over the parish
February 11, 1767.*

The General Assembly met at Hartford on the second Thursday in
May. The names of Governor Fitch and Judge Ebenezer Silliman no
longer headed the list chosen this year as magistrates by the Assembly,
for the following reasons : Governor Fitch, with others of his councillors,
fearing that they would jeopardize the charter of the colony, thought it
would be wiser, although they in every way disapproved of the Stamp
Act, to take the oath required by Parliament. For this reason the Gov-
ernor proposed that they should all take the Stamp Act oath. Colonel
Jonathan Trumbull in indignant tones refused to even witness such a
proceeding, and walked angrily out of the room follow^ed by most of the
Assistants, only four members of the council remaining, who administered
the oath to the Governor. In consequence of this mistake of judgment
on the part of Governor Fitch and those who administered the oath to
him they were not re-elected the next year, f Governor Pitkin was
elected in place of Governor Fitch. It would have been far wiser had
they all awaited a reply to their letter of the May Assembly sent to the
King and Parliament. The people were in no mood to trifle with the
tyrannical course of Great Britain. " Right, Liberty & Freedom " were
now their watchword. They had experienced enough of British general-
ship, unwise and cruel conduct to the Indians and ignorant and brutal
methods of warfare with them, with the loss of thousands of valuable
lives and large sums of money, to resort to any expediency. Besides,
they had learned through the vicissitudes of war their own strength, and
they now rose in that strength to resist tyranny of any kind whatsoever.

Judge Ebenezer Silliman appears to have been one of the four Judges
who administered the Stamp Act oath to Governor Fitch, as from this
date he was deprived of his office as an Assistant of the General Assembly,
as well as that of one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the colony.
His fellow-townsmen, believing that he had acted from conscientious

* No record is found of the Rev. Mr. Buckingham's marriage or children.

f It appears that in March, 1760, a pamphlet was issued by Governor Fitch, giving " some
reasons which influenced the Governor to take and the Councillors to administer the Oath required
by the Act of Tarliament, commonly called the Stamp Act oath. Humbly submitted to the con-
sideration of the public"; "which did not have the effect of securing the re-election of himself or
the four assistants by whom the oath was administered to him." — Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 451.

1766] SEVEN YEARS' WAR AND REVOLUTION 261

motives, however mistaken they may have been, yearly elected him to rep-
resent Fairfield in the General Assembly. He had filled his public offices
with great honor. The people of Fairfield were prond of him, and were
resolved that the town should not be wholly deprived of his valuable
services. Although his name for some years was presented for election
as an Assistant, the Senate did not confirm his nomination.

Mr. Lothrop Lewis and Colonel John Read were present at this
Assembly as deputies from Fairfield. Mr. David Rowland was made
one of the Judges of the County Court of Fairfield and of the Probate
Court of the district.

Mr. Henry Lyon was appointed captain, and Mr. David Hill lieu-
tenant of the train-band in the east division of the parish of Reading, in
the Fourth Regiment.*

The Assembly requested Governor Pitkin to " prepare an humble.
dutiful & loyal address to the King expressive of the filial duty, grati-
tude & satisfaction of the Governor & Company of the Colony on the
happy occasion of the beneficial repeal of the Stamp Act " ; with other
letters addressed " to all those who have distinguished themselves as the
friends & advocates of the British Colonies in America, on this important
occasion, whether as Members of the British Parliament or in other ways."
The Governor was also requested to issue a proclamation appointing a
day of public Thanksgiving, " to be religiously observed throughout the
colony, on the happy occasion of the beneficial repeal of the late Stamp
Act."t

The Assembly met at New Haven on the second Thursday in Octo-
ber, when Fairfield was represented by Captain David Burr and Judge
Ebenezer Silliman.

A most solemn oath of allegiance to King George HI. was taken at
this time, rejecting the pretensions of James HL and against all other
pretenders whatsoever, limiting the succession to the crowm " to the Prin-
cess Sophia, Electress & Duchess-Dowager of Hanover & her heirs being
Protestants." They expressed their abhorrence of the Popes, " excom-
munications of princes, transubstantiation of the Sacrament, absolution by
priests; & that no foreign prince, person or prelate, state or potentate
hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence
as authority ecclesiastical or spiritual within the realm of Great Britain. " +

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 459. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, pp. 466, 467.

i Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 495.

262 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1767

The sum allowed for the encouragement of schools having proved
insufificient, an act was passed that from January, 1767, the sum of twenty
shillings lawful money should be levied upon every thousand pounds of
the taxable list of each town & society, instead of ten shillings. Each
district in the towns was allowed its proportion of this money, as well
as all other public moneys.

An act was also passed for preserving oysters and clams in Fairfield,
and all other towns bordering on the sea, sound or rivers. Each town
was given authority in their town meetings to make rules and ordinances
for preserving such shell iish, " & to lay such restrictions against taking
them in improper seasons, provided such penalty should not exceed the
sum of five pounds in money."

Mr. Abel Seeley was established lieutenant, and Air. Hezekiah Hub-
bell ensign of the Stratfield train-band of the Fourth Regiment.

The taxable estates of Fairfield this year were £62,326 i8.s\ iid.

In October the clergy of the Church of England in Connecticut and
from New York met in convention at Stratford, and on the eighth of
that month petitioned the Lord Bishop of London " to procure a worthy
Protestant Bishop in some of the colonies: especially since the Roman
Catholics are so happy as to be indulged with a popish one, & the Mora-
vians with theirs, & the Presbyterians, &c., have the full enjoyment of
their way of government & discipline; while the poor Church of England
is considered by them with contempt, that she cannot enjoy hers; nor
indeed, so much as a shadow of anything that can be called Ecclesiastical
Government." This petition was signed by Samuel Johnson, President
of the Convention, and by the Reverends Samuel Auchmutz, John Beach,
Joseph Lawson, Jere'h Leaming, Solomon Palmer, Christopher Newton,
James Scovil, Sam'l Andrews, John Beardsley, Roger Viets and Bela
Hubbard.*

1767. The General Assembly met at Hartford, on the 29th of January,
to take into consideration a letter which had been received from General
Gage, the commander-in-chief of his Majesty's forces in America, in re-
gard to quartering one hundred and eighty-eight recruits, just arrived
in a vessel from Germany for his Majesty's two battalions of the Royal
Regiment in Fairfield, Stamford and Norwalk during the winter season.
The Assembly granted General Gage's request to quarter the troops in

* Hist. Trot. Kpiscf)pal Church, etc., by Bishop Hawkes and William Stevens reriy. Vol. 2,
p. 102.

1767] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 263

the colony, but the}' notified him, " that as Fairfield & the neighboring^"
towns had hitherto been burdened with his Majesty's forces, quartered
& billeted upon them, during two winters, they had been encouraged to
believe they should not be burdened with more, until some other towns
had done the like service." New Haven, Wallingford and Branford were
suggested as fitting places for the troops, with better justice to Fairfield
and the other sea-coast towns, unless General Gage should give orders to
the contrary. Regulations were also made raising the rate of quartering
the forces above the sum formerly allowed, so as to make it five shillings
a week for each soldier, to be paid out of the colony treasury.*

The General Assembly met again on the second Thursday in May,
at Hartford, when Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Captain David Burr
were present as deputies from Fairfield. Mr. David Rowland was ap-
pointed one of the Judges of the County and of the District Probate
Court of Fairfield.

Mr. Abraham Gold was established captain, and Mr. Elijah Abel lieu-
tenant of the first train-band, and Mr. Hezekiah Sturges lieutenant, and
John Whitear ensign of the second train-band in Fairfield; Mr. Gideon
Hurlburt lieutenant, and Mr. John Andrews ensign of the train-band in
the west parish of Fairfield; Mr. Simon Couch ensign in the east Reading
train-band; Mr. Stephen Mead captain, and Mr. Zalmon Read lieutenant
in the west division of Reading parish, and Mr. Henry Sommers ensign
in the train-band of North Fairfield and partly of North Stratford, in
the Fourth Regiment, t

A further increase of money was made for the encouragement of
schools. Forty shillings were granted upon every thousand pounds to
the several towns in the colony, instead of the twenty shillings on each
thousand pounds, granted in the October session of the Assembly for the
maintenance of schools.

The inhabitants of Reading petitioned the Assembly to be made a
town. Their petition was granted, and the parish of Reading was made
" a distinct town by itself, with all the liberties, privileges and inmiunities
which by law the other towns in the colony have & do enjoy; & that said
new constituted town shall hereafter be called by the name of the Tozvn
of Redding; with this limitation & restriction, that but one Representative
shall at any time attend the General Assembly.":}:

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, pp. 541-544. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, pp. 555, 557, 559.
t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XII, p. 580.

264 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i/^S

At the October Assembly the act for quartering his Majesty's regular
forces in the colony was extended to October of the following year.

An important act was passed, making it the duty of the selectmen in
each town " to erect & heap up stones at least two foot high, near the
side of the common travelling &: post road, marked with the distances
from the county town of the county, where such town lyes, according
to the mensuration lately made by public order.""-''

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £50,134 is. 5c?.

1768. The Rev. Mr. Lamson of Fairfield, writing to the Society for
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, informed them that the war-
dens and vestry of the Church of England in Fairfield had purchased
nine acres of glebe-land with part of the money given them by Mr. George
Talbot, a deed of which, after being recorded at Fairfield, should be sent
to the Honorable S. P. G. in England. t The Rev. Mr. John Beach of
Redding wTote: "The more zealous Churchmen they are, by so much
stronger is the afifection they discover for King & Parliament."

The General Assembly niet at Hartford on the second Thursday in
May, and continued by several adjournments until the loth day of June.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Captain David Burr were present as depu-
ties from Fairfield.

Mr. Nathan Morehouse was established lieutenant, Mr. David Coley
captain and Mr. Jeremiah Sturges, Jr., ensign of the society of Norfield.
Mr. Samuel Wakeman lieutenant, and Mr. Reuben Bradly ensign of the
parish of North Fairfield in the Fourth Regiment. +

Daniel Morris was appointed guardian of the Golden Hill Indians.
His duty was to report yearly, in June, to the Court of Probate at Fair-
field, an account of the use, profit and improvement made on the Indian
reservation, as well as all disbursements made by him to the Indians. §

It was enacted that a duty of five pounds " should be paid on every
hundred pounds worth of goods, wares & merchandise, except timber
brought into the colony cither by water or land carriage, by all & every
person not inhabitants within the same."

The relief and joy afforded the American colonies at the repeal of
the Stamp Act was of short duration. The act accompanying this repeal
giving Parliament power to tax the colonies had given much disquietude

* See Post Roads, Appendix A. Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. XII, p. 608.

f Ilawkes and Perry's I list Prot. Episcopal Church in America, Vol, 2, p. 121.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, pp. 12, 15. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, p. 65.

I76S] SEVEN years' WAR AND REVOLUTION 265

to many thoughtful minds. In less than two years Charles Townshend,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, resolved, in the depleted condition of the
English revenues, to lay a tax on tea, glass, paper and painters' colors
sent into America, which would amount to about £40,000 a year. His
death soon after made a change in the ministry, and a new office for a
colonial secretary was established and given to the Earl of Hillsborough.
Upon the arrival of the ill-advised tax of Townshend, a still greater de-
gree of indignation prevailed in the American colonies than that caused
by the Stamp Act. Riots prevailed everywhere, especially in Boston.
James Otis, John and Samuel Adams and John Hancock of Massachu-
setts, Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut, John Dickinson of Pennsyl-
vania, Patrick Henry and R. H. Lee of Virginia, Gadsden and Rutledge
of South Carolina, with Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who had lived several
years in London as agent for several of the colonies, and where his
opinion was of great weight, all raised their voices against taxation with-
out representation. James Otis had first contended that the revenue bill,
under the form of regulations of trade, violated the rights of the colonists
as much as direct taxation. In this opinion he was sustained by the
other colonies. The tax levied was not so large, but by yielding to it a
direct principle was at stake. Executive combinations were formed to
avoid the use of the taxed articles, and as far as possible all other British
importations. Non-importation was resorted to as the most direct and
legal way to escape from the offensive tax. This so depleted the profits
of the British merchants that they petitioned for a repeal of the odious
tax law. To further their interests, their petition was granted ; " but
Parliament obstinately sustained its pretended right to tax the colonies
by retaining a tax of three pence on the pound on tea, which was even
at a lower price than it had been formerly." A war of opinions and
pamphlets upon the subject were issued both in America and Great
Britain. Whispers of full liberty were heard. Riots followed in Boston;
and while Connecticut and the other colonies were not so violent, strong
opposition was manifested by many. Associations calling themselves
" Sons of Liberty & Daughters of Liberty " were formed to enter into
agreements of non-importation and to give up the use of tea.

The colonists generally recognized that not one iota of their just
rights should be yielded, knowing full well that other impositions would
soon follow. In Great Britain this firmness on the part of the American
colonies was regarded as high-headed independence and most disloyal.

266 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [176S

Dr. Franklin wrote: "every man in England seemed to consider himself
as a piece of sovereign over America; seems to jostle himself into the
throne of the King, & talks of ' our subjects in the colonies.' " The King,
with his clouded intellect, entertaining high ideas of his prerogative, ob-
stinately adhered to his mistaken opinions. The colonies which but a
few years before had boasted with pride and affection of the mother
country, were fast becoming alienated. Even Connecticut, which had
boasted of having been more devoted to the interests and requirements
of the King and parliament than any other colony, regarded with deep
regret and sorrow the unwise and unjust acts of oppression.

In the May Assembly it was agreed that Governor Pitkin should reply
to a letter which he had received from the Earl of Hillsborough.

The Governor first congratulated Earl Hillsborough upon his new office of Colonial
Secretary, and "assured him that the royal recommendations had never been neglected in
Connecticut; & that as soon as possible his lordship's requests should be answered. He
then laid before Earl Hillsborough the oppressive acts of the British Parliament, " for
allowing a drawback of the duties of customs upon the exportation from this kingdom of
coffee & cocoa-nuts of the produce of the said Colonies or Plantations; for discontinuing
the drawback payable on china earthenware exported to America; & for more effectually
preventing the clandestine running of goods in the said Colonies & Plantations ;" of the
great burdens, charges & expenses of the last war, which had become almost insupportable ;
that a still greater grievance was the duties imposed by Parliament upon America for the
sole purpose of raising a revenue in America, " by which they regarded themselves stripped
of their constitutional rights as English subjects; that the royal charter granted by King
Charles Second to the Connecticut Governor & Company & to their heirs & successors, gave
them all the liberties & annuities of free & natural born subjects of England, & as such
the consequences ought to be clear & convincing to his lordship that zve ought not to be
taxed without our consent & zvithont representation in Parliament;" that it was "with
grief of heart to reflect that the Parliament should dispose of our property without our
consent, after having so cheerfully & valiantly contributed & defended the King's domin-
ions against all attempts & annoyances from foreign & domestic enemies ; that the product
of our labor & trade naturally & necessarily centered in Great Britain ; that the people
of Connecticut prided themselves in their connection with the British government; & that
our affection & interest cemented them so strongly as to prevent them from entertaining
the most distant wish of being separated from the protection of the mother state; that our
ancestors, the first settlers of Connecticut, purchased & obaincd the greater part of their
lands for great & valuable considerations ; & some of it by conquest & with much difficulty
& expense subdued & improved the same; that for more than a century the colony had
enjoyed the privileges granted them under their charter, & were thereby blessed with the
constitutional rights of Englishmen, the principle of which is thai of being taxed only by
representatives of their oivn free election, in consequence of wliicli the representatives of
the Colony, as subjects of Great Britain, in the General Assembly, had on all occasions
granted & levied reasonable assessments, rates & taxes, & disposed of them for his Ma-
jesty's service & for the security of his rights & territories in .America."

1768] SEVEN YEARS' WAR AND REVOLUTION 267

To the Colony agent, Mr. Jackson, Governor Pitkin addressed letters,
urging him to give his utmost attention to the opposition in the colonies
against this unjust taxation, etc., and wrote :

It is painful to hear the colonies compared to Ireland, who were subjects by con-
quest, & by their conduct had forfeited the immunities we are justly entitled to; that the
principles & arguments relative to the Charter ought to be conclusive to every impartial &
judicious mind; but tJie principle of taxation zuithout representation contradicted the
essential rights contained therein. Such explaining away liberty & prosperity of a free &
loyal people, contrary to plain words & intentions, draws a prodigious gloom over their
minds, & hardly leaves room to rejoice in Freedom even in imagination ; that he would
see by a letter from the Assembly, as well as one addressed to the King, the deep concern
& great anxiety the good people of this Colony are thrown into. As to the manufactories &
the fisheries, which had been made an object of attention in the last Parliament, " it would
be well if the jealousies exhibited had no existence but in idea."*

Zebulon West, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ad-
dressed a reply to a letter received from the Speaker of the Massachusetts
House of Representatives, " praising the laudable spirit of the Massa-
chusetts people; & stating that no constitutional measure proper for re-
lief should be neglected by any ; that the colonies ought to cultivate the
strictest friendship, utmost candor & harmony towards each other; as
all the sister colonies by the acts of Parliament must thereby be involved
in great difificulties, which are perhaps a prelude to still greater."

On the 30th of August David Rowland, Esq., died in the fifty-fourth
year of his age. He had been prominent in the poHtical events of the
colony, and filled many offices of high trust and importance with honor
and credit. He was buried in the old Burial Hill Cemetery of Fairfield.
Over his grave his tombstone still stands, near those of his two wives
and daughter. His death was a sad loss to Fairfield, as such men were
needed in the trying ordeal the country had entered upon.t

It was about this time that a noted prisoner by the name of Frazer,
thinking to escape, set fire to the jail in Fairfield where he was confined.
He also burned the court-house. It was voted at a town meeting, April
25th, that the County of Fairfield should erect a new court-house on the
Meeting-house Green, " a little north-westerly of the new school-house."
It was also voted that the county should erect a new prison, and a house
for the jail-keeper on the westerly part of the Meeting-house Green,
north-westerly of the pond, as well as a garden for the jail-keeper, "' the
westerly extension of said garden to be five rod distant from Mr. Thad-

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII. pp. 84, 90. f .\ppendi.\ — Genealogical.

268 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1769

deus Burr's home-lot."* On this spot the jail and the school-house, or
Academy, were rebuilt after the Revolution.

On the 25th of October a memorial was presented to the Assembly
by a number of the residents of Green's Farms, that they might be al-
lowed to drain the salt meadows in that parish; " part of which meadows
are adjoining the beach where the tide ebbs & flows; & that there is a
dam across a certain creek, running through said meadows at a place
called Gallop's Gap, which beach & dam had been broken down." The
committee requested to be paid " for building said dam-railing, the beach
& draining the tide out of the meadows." Cornelius Hall and John Hide
w^ere appointed commissioners to attend this service.

The Rev. Mr. Lamson informed the Secretary of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts '' that the wardens & Vestry
of the Church of England in Fairfield had purchased nine acres of land
for a Glebe, with part of the money given by Mr. George Talbot."

1769. By order of Governor Pitkin the General Assembly met on
January 5th, and continued, after several adjournments, until the 27th
day of the month.

A memorial had been presented to the Assembly October 3, 1768,
" by John Hubbell & others, of the towns of Fairfield & Redding, begging
the westerly part of the Fourth Regiment of militia in the colony might
be made a separate troop of horse." This petition was granted at the
sittting of the Assembly, t

The Assembly met as usual on the second Thursday in IMay, and con-
tinued by adjournments until June 8th. Judge Ebenezer Silliman and
Captain David Burr were present as deputies.

The Governor's oath, required by act of Parliament, was made and
passed in the fourth year of the reign of George HI., entitled, " An Act
for granting certain duties in the British Colonies & Plantations in
America," etc., and said oath was in due form administered to Governor
Pitkin. t

Mr. Gold Sellick Silliman was established captain, Mr. John ITul:)l)cll
lieutenant, Mr. Jabez Hill cornet, and Mr. Samuel Sherwood, Jr.. quar-
termaster of the second troop of horse § in the Fourth Regiment in the
colony.

It appears that after the burning of the court-house and jail at Fair-

* Fairfield Town Records. + Col. Kec. Conn., Vol. XI 11, p. 154.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, p. 170. g Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, p. 177.

1769] SEVEN years' war AND REVOLUTION 269

field, the towns of Stamford, Ridgefield, Danbury and Redding peti-
tioned the General Assembly in 1768 to remove the court-house and jail
to Norwalk. This petition was granted by the lower house, " but the
upper house resolved in the negative." The petition was renewed in
January of this year, and was joined by other towns, representing that
Norwalk was a much more desirable place for a court-house and jail in
every way; but this petition also received a negative vote.*

The old method of Bland's Exercise, used by the military of the
colony, now out of date, " being too prolix, with many useless motions,"
the Assembly passed a vote to adopt the Norfolk Militia Exercise, as
" more convenient & expeditious."

The General Assembly met at New Haven the second Thursday in
October, and continued by several adjournments until the 3d of Novem-
ber. Meanwhile, Governor Pitkin had died, October ist, aged seventy
years. Both houses proceeded without delay to elect Jonathan Trum-
bull, who, since the mistake of Governor Fitch, had acted as deputy
governor of the colony.

The House of Representatives passed the following resolutions :

"Resolved, That this House do highlj' approve the conduct of the merchants of the
Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, & all the other Colonies who,
in these critical times, have made so noble a stand to save the liberties of this country by
refusing to import several British manufactures until the revenue laws are repealed;
thereby sacrificing their private fortunes to the cause of liberty from such truly patriotic
views as ought to transmit their memories with distinguished honor to the latest posterity,
& ordered that the clerk of the House be directed to cause a copy of this resolve to be
published in the several newspapers in this Colony." f

Mr. David Burr was appointed one of the auditors of the colony
treasury.

Mr. Gideon Hurlburt was established captain, Mr. John Andrews
lieutenant, and Mr. Stephen Wakeman ensign of the train-band in the
society of Greens Farms, in the Fourth Regiment.

Governor Trumbull, with Colonel George Wyllys, were appointed a
committee " to search after all deeds of conveyance relative to the titles
of lands granted by the Crown to this Colony by the Royal Charter; &
if not found in America, to write the Agent of this Colony in Great
Britain, to make diligent search for the aforesaid deeds; & also the grant

* Connecticut Miscellaneous Documents, Vol. 3, p. 273.
f Col. Rec. Conn,, Vol. XIII, note on page 236.

270

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [H^Q

to the Duke of York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island,
& in general all other grants that can affect us, & have them duly authen-
ticated & transmit them to said committee; that they may be lodged in
the Secretary's office, & make their report to the General Assembly as
soon as it can be accomplished."'*

Only the greatest apprehensions led the General Assembly to make
the above resolutions. The colonies had hoped to find a friend in Lord
Hillsborough; but they were greatly disappointed, as he joined Lord
North, then prime minister, when the parliament repealed the obnoxious
taxes laid on the American colonies, in supporting a duty on tea as a par-
liamentary matter of right.

Colonel Andrew Burr of Fairfield, who had for many years occupied
one of the most prominent positions in the Colony of Connecticut, until
a few years before his death, died November 9, 1769, well advanced in
years. He possessed the confidence and highest respect not only of the
town of Fairfield, but of the Colony of Connecticut, both as a states-
man and one of its chief military of^cers. He particularly distinguished
himself by bravely leading his regiment in the siege and capture of the
fortress of Louisburg. His life was one continued advancement in use-
fulness, crowned with years of well-spent energy for the best interests
of Fairfield, Connecticut and the American colonies.f

It was voted at a town meeting held at Fairfield, December 27th, to
erect " a powder-house to receive & lodge the town magazine." This
powder-house is still standing on the hill, which, in those days, was called
the Rocks.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, p. 247. \ Appendi.x — (Genealogical.

CHAPTER XIV

THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Part First

1770. — Increasing spirit of liberty. — Civil and military officers. — Repeal of colony duties on exports.
— Exasperating conduct of English troops. — Boston Massacre. — Day of fasting and prayer. —
1771. — Civil and military officers. — Personal taxes. — Death of Col. James Smedley. — 1772. —
Civil and military officers. — Great storm. — Drilling soldiers. — 1773. — Civil and military officers.
— Purchase of arms. — Judge Silliman's letters to the colonies. — Census of the colony and regi-
ments.— Western Lands. — Tea shipped back to England. — Boston Tea Party. — 1774. — Civil
and military officers. — Western Lands. — Boston Port Bill. — Dr. Benjamin Franklin. — .•\ction
of General Assembly. — Day of fasting and prayer. — Preparations for war. — Congress of colonies
at Philadelphia. — Boston port closed. — Fairfield sends assistance and supplies. — Connecticut
regiments called out. — Industry of Daughters of Liberty. — Military arms inspected. — Importing
slaves into Connecticut prohibited. — Military officers appointed and ammunition distributed.
— Bills of Credit. — Assembly opposition to British colonial acts. — Fairfield's approval of Colonial
Convention's resolutions, and call a county congress. — Strict economy agreed upon. — 1775. —
Large call for ammunition. — Negro spirit roused to fight. — Bonds of naval officers. — Contri-
butions to Boston while besieged. — Letter to Earl Dartmouth. — King permits limited fishing
on New Foundland banks. — Patrick Henry. — Preparation for war throughout the colonies. —
Battle of Lexington. — Troops set out for relief of Boston. — Men from Fairfield. — Special
Assembly. — Embargo on food, grain, etc. — Committees of supply and relief. — Forces for
Connecticut. — Officers appointed. — The Fifth Regiment. — Bills of Credit. — Committees for
ammunition. — Defence of seaports. — Four regiments sent to Boston. — Fasting and prayer. —
Governor Trumbull's letter to General Gage. — Insolent reply of Gen. Gage. — May Assembly.
— Civil and military officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Every war preparation made. — Kegi-
ment standards. — Premium for stands of arms and ammunition. — Act passed for defending the
colony. — Expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. — Kindness to prisoners of war. —
Council of War. — Provincial Congress of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. — Col.
George Washington appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army. — Israel Putnam Major General
of Connecticut forces. — Continental bills of credit. — Connecticut forwards troops and ammu-
nition to Boston. — Battle of Ikeeds and Bunker Hill. — Battle flags. — Connecticut troops sent
to New London and New York. — General Washington sets out for Massachusetts and passes
through Fairfield. — General Tryon arrives in New York. — Connecticut officers and troops
posted near New York. — Fairfield sends food and ammunition of relief to Boston. — More regi-
ments raised. — Fairfield officers. — Naval vessels. — Milestones. — General Montgomery's forces
to attack Quebec. — Bills of credit issued. — Provisions sent out of the colony. — Embargo laid.
— First colony uniforms. — Marriage of Hon. John Hancock and Miss Dorothy Quincey. —
Continental money. — General Washington prepares his troops for action. — Calls for more troops
from Connecticut. — New stands of arms. — Money and supplies sent to sick soldiers at Ticon-

2/2 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

deroga and prisoners of war. — Capt. Stephen Thorp's sloop of provisions sent to Massachusetts.
— Connecticut retains her charter government. — Brother Jonathan. — Expedition against
Canada. — Heroes of Fairfield. — Minute-men. — Bounty for salt-petre and nitre. — Powder mill
in each town. — Punishment of Tories. — Enemy ordered to harass coast towns. — Congress makes
it a crime to assist the British. — Vessels and row galleys ordered to defend the coast of Con-
necticut.— Coast guards. — Ammunition and stores. — 1776. — Reinforcements for New York. —
Cannon and ammunition for Fairfield. — Fort at Grover Hill erected. — Lieut. Ebenezer Bartram.
— Captain Harding of Brig Defence. — Dorchester Heights. — Boston evacuated. — Great rejoic-
ing.— Col. Gold Sellick Silliman's regiment sent to New York to join General Washington. —
Lieut. John Mills. — Lieut. Samuel Smedley of Brig Defence and Joseph Squire. — Row galleys
fitted out. — German troops sent to assist the English. — Fresh troops ordered out. — General
Washington's reply to General Howe. — General Assembly of May. — Civil and military officers.
— Five regiments of cavalry. — Major David Dimon of new regiment. — Bills of credit issued
and taxes. — Call for all able bodied men. — Continental bills of credit. — Captain Samuel Squire
commissary. — Premium for gun-lock. — Letters of marque and reprisal. — Mr. Thaddeus ]5urr
specie agent of postal money, etc. — Fairfield officers. — Inhabitants of towns ordered to arm and
form themselves into companies of defence. — Attack to be made on Fairfield discovered. —
Armed galleys ordered out. — Embargo on provisions and grain. — The General Assembly pro-
poses through their delegates to Continental Congress to declare the United American Colonies
free and independent states. — National standard of stars and stripes. — British attack upon
Virginia. — The Declaration of Independence declared July 4, ^7/6. — Prayers for the king and
royal family omitted. — Battalions raised for northern department. — Continental army. —
Boston. — Fairfield officers. — Bills of Credit. — Last Assembly of the colony of Connecticut. —
Patriotic proclamation read in every church. — Ammunition for Fairfield. — Three regiments of
light horse sent to New York. — Supplies and money sent to Black Rock Fort. — Brig Defence
captures several British vessels. — Newgate Prison. — Tow-cloth tents. — Military uniforms. —
Spies punished. — Cannon suplied to Black Rock Fort. — Brigantine Defence sent out to secure
prizes. — Naval officers and seamen raised for northern lakes. — General Howe's attack on
Charleston, and Long Island. — Battle of Long Island. — American prisoners and Prison-Ships.
Gen. Washington retreats to Harlem. — Eight regiments sent to New London to harass the
English on Long Island. — Families flee from Long Island to Connecticut. — Fast Day. — Regi-
ments sent to Westchester. — Hospital erected. — Nathaniel Hale. — Gen. Washington defeats
the British on East River. — British occupation of New York. — Public and private buildings
burned. — Fort Washington. — Battle of White Plains. — Gen. Washington retires to New
Castle and Gen. Howe to New York. — State of Connecticut Assembly endorsed the Declara
tion of Independence. — State, civil and military officers amenable only to the State of Connec-
ticut.— Charter rights maintained. — Punishment of traitors. — Oath of Fidelity. — Tories
warned. — Counterfeiters punished. — Necessary supplies impressed. — Embargo on food and
clothing. — Women and children plow and plant fields. — Husking parties. — Relief sent to
General Washington. — Captain Samuel Squire to seize all necessary articles for the army.—
Thaddeus Burr sent to Washington's camp. — Eight regiments sent to protect the borders ot
the Sound. — Tories sent to western parts of the State. — Gold Sellick Silliman, Abraham Gold
and Jonathan Dimon promoted in Fourth State militia regiment. — Prizes taken by brig
Defence. — Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Defeat of Americans on Lake Champlain. — British
fleet off Fairfield and Norwalk. — Guards stationed along the coast. — Defeat of General Lee at
Fort Washington. — Gen. Washington retired from Fort Lee to Trenton and Pennsylvania. —
Washington attacks and defeats the British at Trenton and Princeton and occupies Morristown
Heights. — Gen. Lee taken prisoner. — Great drain of officers and men from Connecticut. —
Twenty-five Connecticut regiments formed into six brigades. — Prices fixed upon labor of all
kinds. — Industrial and imported goods. — State Loan oflice. — Troops sent to Gen. Washington

THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 273

from western Connecticut. — Thaddeus Burr one of committee for this design. — Alarm officers
and men from sixteen to sixty years of age to protect coast towns. — Fairfield alarm soldiers.-—
Troops sent to Rhode Island. — Care of all sick soldiers.— Gold Selleck SiJliman Brigadier
General of Fourth State militia brigade. — State tax. — Guard at New-Field Harbor. — 1777. —
Lieut. Samuel Smedley promoted. — Brig Defence prizes. — Washington sends for all available
troops for eastern New York. — Distribution of other prizes. — Fort Black Rock reinforced. —
Rev. John Sayer sent as a Tory prisoner from Fairfield to Farminglon. — Thaddeus Burr to
collect tons of flax for the State; and hundreds of tons of flax and rye to send out of the State.
— Lieut. Samuel Smedley promoted captain of Brig Defence. — Smallpox hospitals. — Fairfield
military guard commanded by Brig. Gen. Silliman. — Troops sent to Fort Black Rock. — Treaty
with the Six Nations. — France tenders supplies to Governor Trumbull. — Silas Dean, Arthur
Lee and Benjamin Franklin sent by Congress commissioners to France, Prussia and Spain. —
France sends arms and ammunition. — Marquis de LaFayette and De Kalb sail for America. —
Families of volunteers supported at the expense of the State. — Alarm at Fairfield from enemy's
ships. — Capt. Samuel Squire to supply two armed ships to cruise the Sound. — Cannon and
ammunition sent to Fairfield and New Field. — General Silliman to protect stores at Danbury.
— All towns called to furnish full military quotas. — Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Captain
Smedley takes prizes. — General Gates sends for reinforcements. — British attack on Danbury.
— Attack on Gen's Silliman's, Arnold's and Wooster's forces. — General Wooster mortally
wounded. — Battle at Ridgefield. — Lieut. Col. Abraham Gold killed. — Battle at Saugatuck
Bridge. — British sail from Compo to Huntington, I-. I. — Gen. Wooster's valuable services. —
Reinforcements sent to Continental forces. — Gen. Meigs' retaliation. — Troops sent to sea coast.
— Connecticut credit. — Ecclesiastical laws. — Court-martial regulation. — Three years enlistment.
— Taxes. — Battalions raised to protect towns on the Sound. — Salt manufacturers. — State of Con-
necticut army commissions. — Pensions for disabled soldiers. — War Record office. — Deserters.
— Exchange of prisoners. — Pardon to deserters upon taking State oath of allegiance. — P'airfield
military officers. — Captain Samuel Squire to supply state troops and those at Peekskill with
stores and clothing. — Captain Samuel Smedley sent on naval cruise. — First national flag. —
Troops sent to Fairfield. — Rev. John Sayer returned to Fairfield. — Movements of Washington.
— Gen. Howe's victories on the Delaware. — Movements of Gen. Burgoyne and (jcn. Schuyler.
— Gen. Silliman sends troops to Peekskill. — Larger taxes laid on towns. — Declaration of In-
dependence ordered recorded. — More troops sent to Peekskill. — Sale of prize goods at Fairfield.
— Thaddeus Burr to impress necessary provisions and clothing for the army. — Arnold's victory
at Fort Schuyler. — Battle of Bennington. — Thanksgiving. — Death of Col. David Dimon. —
Great economy practiced. — Fortifications of New Field and Stratfield. — Outburst of patriotism.
— Kosciusko's fortifications. — Battle of Bemis Heights. — Detachments from Fairfield brigade
sent under General .Silliman to Peekskill to join General Putnam's forces. — Oath of allegiance
and fidelity. — Economic laws and licenses. — Connecticut and United States bills of credit
maintained. — Maintenance of aged slaves. — Ministers to urge strict honesty and morality.- — ■
Reduction of Continental bills in circulation. — Ehch state taxed for war expenses. — Prison
ships provided. — ;^20,ooo to supply blankets and wool goods from France and elsewhere. —
Connecticut's new issue of bills of credit. — English defeated at Bemis Heights. — Burgoyne's
retreat. — Ticonderoga taken by Americans. — Renewed courage and hope for victory. — General
Silliman sends fresh troops to Peekskill. — Washington at Valley Forge. — .Sufferings of his
army. — Washington censured. — Upheld by the country. — Thanksgiving Day for victories ap-
pointed by Congress throughout the United States. — Military uniforms sent to Washington. —
Constant alarm at Fairfield and neighboring towns. — British Prison ships. in New York harbor.
— Hon. John Hancock resigns presidency of Congress. — 177S. — Brighter prospects. — Well
disciplined troops. — An united resolve to conquer. — France recognizes the independence of
the American States. — Joyous news reaches Washington at Valley Forge. — Barrack masters for
18

274 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

each town, — Fresh troops raised and equipped. — Everything needed to be impressed. — Troops
for Fairfield. — Clothing sent to American prisoners in New York. — P'ourth Regiment officers,
— Release of prisoners at Fairfield. — Naval officers. — Reception of Benjamin Franklin and
Silas Dean by French king. — Treaty of amity and peace. — English offer of almost absolute
independence rejected — England declares war against France. — Large bounties for recruits. —
Large ta.xes and liberal offers to farmers. — New England states join in uniformity of labor-
prices. — Si.K battalions raised for immediate and constant service. — Day of fasting and prayer.
Extra teams impressed to carry provisions and clothing to New York for troops under Wash-
ington.— (iuard at New Field Harbor. — Fairfield military posts. — Petitions for an armed vessel
to guard coast. — All the States aroused to drive the British from the country. — Gen. Lafayette's
skillful services to relieve Washington. — Washington appoints a day of thanksgiving in his
army at Valley Forge. — Great exultation. — Estates of Tories confiscated, — General muster and
alarm forces in Connecticut. — ;^ioo,ooo ordered to be borrowed. — Cattle seized for U. S. army.
Embargo laid on clothing and provisions except for the U. S. A. — Taxes. — Address of Congress
sent to each town in the U. S. to be read in each congregation. — Cannon for Grover Hill Point.
— Battle of Monmouth. — British retire to New York. — Wa.shington to White Plains. — Con-
necticut coast towns in constant alarm. — Special couriers. — Arrival of Count D'Estaing's fleet.
— French ambassador Gen. Gerard's arrival in Philadelphia. — D'Estaing sails for Newport. —
Washington sends for Connecticut troops to march to Providence, R. I. — Company sent from
Fairfield. — Captain Samuel Smedley sent from Boston to seize enemy's vessels. — Engagement
off Newport between D'Estaing and Admiral Byron's English fleet. — Land engagement at
Newport. — Forces sent to New London and Fairfield. — Horse racing forbidden. — Taxes. —
.\mmunition sent to Fairfield. — Ship Defence prize money. — Massacre at Wyoming and Cherry
Valley. — Dec, 30, Thanksgiving Day. — 1779. — State tax. — Congress calls upon the states for
fifteen million dollars. — Connecticut to raise seventeen hundred thousand dollars. — Heavy
taxes to meet this demand. — Maintenance of military officers and private families. — Prize money
distribution among naval officers and seamen. — Sixty thousand pounds distributed among
Connecticut soldiers. — Volunteers sent to Fairfield. — Connecticut towns send relief to Rhode
Island sufferers. — Fairfield sends 1500 bushels of grain. — Spain for once joins against the
English. — 1779- — Artillery officers for Fairfield. — Cap. Smedley sent out against the enemy. —
Supplies for Black Rock Battery. — Family inspection of grain and army supplies made. — Bat-
talions filled, bounties paid, army paid equivalent to gold and silver. — Shrinkage of Continental
Bills of Credit. — General Silliman taken prisoner. — General Assembly in May at Hartford. —
Civil and military officers. — Taxes. — Town votes for congressional delegates. — Dueling pro-
hibited.— Call for full state battalions. — Demand from Fairfield recruits. — Military officers. —
Value of Fairfield estates. — Adjoining slates call for assistance and supplies. — Wreck of the
ship Defence. — Loss of ship Oliver Cromwell. — Fairfield supplies ammunition to Lieut. Col.
Noadiah Huntington. — The ship Guilford. — British attack New Haven — British attack towns
Fairfield, Mill River, and Green's Farms. — Officer and men in 151ack Rock Fort. — Penfield
Mills saved. — Rev. Andrew Eliot's description of burning of Fairfield. — Pilot of General
Tryon's forces. — Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight's description of the conflagration. — ^L^jor Talniage
from White Plains reached Fairfield July 9th. — Threat to Mrs. Jonathan Bulkley. — Heroic
women of Fairfield. — Ellen Gold. — Christ Church record. — Rev. Dr. John Sayer with family
leave with the British army. — Dr. Saver's letter to the S. P. G. from Flushing, L. I. — Patriotic
zeal increases at Fairfield. — New and temporary homes prepared. — Patriotic meeting of citizens
of Fairfield. — Reward offered for General Tryon. — Gov. Trumbull and Council order town
contribution for Fairfield. — Capt. Caleb Brewster's heroism and ancestry. — General Assembly
raises two regiments of 4000 men for Continental army with supplies. — Demand on Fairfield. —
Appeal to Assembly for Fairfield losses. — Count D'Estaing and General Lincoln defeated at
Savannah. — Death of Count Pulaski. — Recovery of Stony Point and Vcrplanck by General

1770] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 275

Wayne.— Attack on the Iroquois.— Portsmouth and Norfolk retaken from the British.— Spain
joins France against the British,

1770. This decade opened with gloomy apprehensions for our fore-
fathers. The spirit of right, justice and Hberty had so thoroughly seized
upon the people after their bitter experience of oppression and the
Stamp Act duties that many were led to enter upon a firm and fixed
resolution to free the colonies from the tyranny of Great Britain. The
loyal governors of the colonies had in vain demanded their chartered
rights and privileges, which, with the arrogant and high-handed imposi-
tions of the British Parliament, served only to exasperate the people to
the extent of those well uttered and well remembered words of Patrick
Henry : " Give me liberty or give me death." Sending and stationing
British troops in the colonies to intimidate the people into submission
has already been shown when General Gage ordered his royal troops
to be quartered at Fairfield, as well as at Boston and other towns and
cities in the colonies, still further widened the breach to an irreparable
extent. Great Britain was " all for Great Britain," and her magnificent
colonies in America were simply to be made the tools of an unscrupulous
King and of parliamentary leaders. But they little understood the spirit
of the Americans, whose sons were no longer youthful pioneers, but full-
grown men and women, strong in their strength, proud of their birth-
rights, their homes, their country, their industries and their liberties, and,
above all, the right to worship God according to the dictates of their
own consciences. The cloud of war, however undesirable it might be,
they felt would disperse only when the full light of an unclouded sky
should open brighter than ever over their beloved land, and with a single
eye to that glorious day the Sons and Daughters of Liberty resolved to
make every sacrifice.

The General Assembly met at Hartford on the second Tuesday in
May, and continued by several adjournments until the 8th day of June.
Fairfield was represented by Captain David Burr and Judge Ebenezer
Silliman. The latter was appointed Judge of the Probate Court of Fair-
field.

Ebenezer Squire was made lieutenant in the train-band of Nor-
field.

The act for laying and collecting duties on merchandise ofifered for
sale by persons not living in the colony, having given great umbrage in
England, w^as repealed. Dr. Johnson had previously written Governor

276 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i77i

Trumbull " that the enemies of the colonies in England intended to make
use of it in the next parliament."*

The offensive conduct of the British troops infuriated the citizens of
New York and Boston and Fairfield. A liberty pole was cut down by
them in New York. The citizens of Boston were incensed that the
British officers allowed their troops to go unpunished for their insolence,
and it resulted in a sharp conflict with them March 5th, in which three
citizens were killed and several wounded. This event caused great ex-
citement throughout the country, and was called the Boston Massacre.
Samuel Adams, heading a body of townsmen, insisted upon the British
troops being quartered elsewhere, and obliged them to be sent to a
neighboring fort in the harbor.f

The merchants still held firmly to their resolutions not to import
British commodities, which led to a repeal of all offensive duties by Lord
North, the new prime minister, except tea, which was retained to show
the right of Parliament to tax the colonies.:}:

At the fall session of the Assembly, held at New Haven the second
Thursday in October, it was represented that the proclamation for a
general fast appointed in May did not reach Fairfield until the day after
the fast had been kept in other parts of the colony; in consequence of
which, " as it was suspected that such delay was from unfaithfulness &
unwarrantable neglect, & in contempt of the authorities of this govern-
ment, & not through casualty," the King's Attorney of the County of
Fairfield was " ordered to make strict inquiry into the matter, & punish
any offender or offenders according to law & justice. "§

Jonathan Silliman was appointed surveyor of lands within the County
of Fairfield.

Jonathan Dimon was appointed captain, and John Hull ensign of the
train-band at Greenfield. ||

The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £49,008 9s. gd.

At a meeting of the Governor and Council held at Windsor. March
25th, " the i8th of April was appointed to be observed as a day of public
Fasting & Prayer throughout the Colony." The Governor was requested
to issue a proclamation for that purpose. 1[

1 771. The Assembly met on the second Tuesday in May. at Hartford.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 299. f Quackenbos' Hist. United States, p. 197.

X Quackenbos' Hist. United States, p. 197. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 305.
I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, pp. 376, 377. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 412.

I77I] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 2^^

Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Captain David Burr represented Fairfield.
The former was again appointed Judge of the Fairfield District Probate
Court. John Hull was established lieutenant and Ebenezer Burr ensign
in the train-band of Greenfields" Hezekiah Sturges captain, John Whitear
lieutenant, and David Dimon ensign of the second train-band in Fair-
field.t

At a meeting of the Deputy Governor and Council held at Litchfield,
August 15th, Thaddeus Burr, Esq., was appointed sheriff for the County
of Fairfield. Gershom Burr and Dr. Francis Forgue became his sure-

A law was passed at the October Assembly regulating the taxable property of the
inhabitants of the colony as follows : " traders & shop-keepers 10 pr ct. on the first cost
of all goods, wares & merchandise, as well as all traders of wholesale tradesmen, artificers
& hotel keepers, except the produce & manufactures within the colony. Every curricle,
chaise, or riding wheel-carriage with a covered top, was taxed at the rate of five pounds ;
& every open chair & other open top riding wheel-carriage three pounds. Dwelling houses
one story high with two rooms & two fire-places on the floor were rated on the taxable
list at twenty shillings ; a house with three rooms & three fire-places on a floor, at thirty
shillings ; four rooms & four fire-places at forty shillings ; dwelling houses of two stories
& two rooms & two fire-places on the lower floor, forty shillings ; houses of two stories
with more than two rooms & two fire-places on the lower floor, at three pounds." §

The taxable list of estates in Fairfield were £48,884 5s. \od.
Samuel Sherwood was established captain of the train-band of Strat-
field. II

A noted counterfeiter named Thomas Howard VVagstaff, from Philadelphia, was at
this time confined in the Fairfield jail for stamping and counterfeiting coins in imitation
of Spanish milled dollars; and was not to be released until he should pay the sum of over
sixty pounds ; " but as his health had seriously failed, & he had no means to pay this sum,
he was released by the General Assembly & allowed to work for his maintenance, provided
he did not go beyond the town limits ; but if he did so, without the consent of the Assem-
bly, he was ordered to be whipped ten stripes on his naked body." II

" The meeting-house at Stratfield was struck by lightning in July.
Mr. John Burr was instantly killed. The shoes of his brother Ozias.
standing near him, were ripped open. Mr. David Sherman was also
killed."**

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 430. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 436.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, p. 509. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, pp. 513, 514.

( Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, p. 524. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIII, p. 543.

** Wheeler's lournal.

278 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i772

Colonel James Smedley, one of the most active and brave military
men of Fairfield died November 4, 1771.*

1772. The General Assembly met at Hartford on the 14th of May.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Mr. Jonathan Sturges were present as
representatives from Fairfield. Judge Silliman was appointed Judge of
Probate for the district, and also with his son, Gold Sellick Silliman,
Justices of the Peace in the County of Fairfield.

Of^cers of all regiments in the colony were forbidden to hold expen-
sive entertainments or to attend such made by persons chosen to of^ce
in their respective companies, under a penalty of being considered dis-
qualified for promotion, t

Captain David Burr was appointed major of the Fourth Regiment
of militia in the colony. Thaddeus Bennet was established lieutenant
of the train-band of Stratfield, in the Fourth Regiment. :t

The following interesting account of a terrible thunder-storm is given
in William Wheeler's Journal :

" Sept. 2nd. In the evening two black clouds on the southwest & northwest, & one
seemed to meet them directly over Fairfield from the northeast ; at half-past eight it began
to thunder incessantly, the flashes of lightning, which seemed to set the room in a blaze,
were about a minute's distance from each other, accompanied with bursts of thunder, like
the whole broadside of a ship, making the earth to tremble, & at one time lifting one of
our family from the seat at the east side of the house on to her feet ; at the same time the
room was filled with a sulphurous smell. Abel Wheeler was struck down; & then they
all stood up & were struck down. The lightning ran in streams through all the rooms,
broke all the lower windows, but hurt none of the people. It also struck the sign post.
Down rushed the rain, impetuous as if the flood gates of heaven had been opened. Many
thought it was the world's last session, & trembling sat expecting every breath to be the
last for three long hours ; but at half-past eleven it ceased. They all agree the storm to-
night has been the hardest one that ever this land has seen. It must have been as nigh as
we can guess. It struck ninety times about this place. A barn was struck & burnt in
town."

At the October session of the Assembly an act was passed " foe
forming & regulating the militia, & for the encouragement of military
skill in the Colony." Stringent laws were also passed for the protection
of ferries.

Major David Burr was appointed lieutenant-colonel, William Samuel
Johnson major and Seth Gregory ensign of the Stratfield company in
the Fourth Regiment. §

* Smedley, Appendix — Genealogical. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. p. 13, 5S0.

I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 13, pp. 581 and 589. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, pp. 6 and 8.

1773] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 279

The estates of Fairfield this year were valued at £50,753 ys. yd.

lyyZ- On the 13th of May the General Assembly met at Hartford.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Mr. Jonathan Sturges represented the
town of Fairfield. Ebenezer Silliman was chosen Speaker of the House
of Representatives, and also made the Probate Judge of Fairfield.

Samuel Blackman was established captain, Nathaniel Wells lieutenant,
Ezra Kirtland cornet, and Elnathan Nichols quartermaster of the first
troop of horse in the Fourth Regiment.'''

Sixty-four stands of arms, which had been ordered to be purchased
from Great Britain in May, were reported to have reached the colony.

Judge Silliman, as Speaker of the House, laid before his associates a
letter dated " Friday, 21st May, 1773, from the Speaker of the House of
Burgesses of the Colony of Virginia," for " securing & supporting the
ancient legal & constitutional rights of this & the Colonies in general."
The House heartily approved and endorsed the measures proposed, and
resolved that a Standing Committee of correspondence and inquiry be
appointed to consist of nine persons, which was headed by the name of
Ebenezer Silliman, " to keep up & maintain a correspondence & com-
munication with our sister Colonies, respecting the important considera-
tions mentioned in this letter from Virginia." Judge Silliman was re-
quested " to transmit to the different General Assemblies of the British
Colonies on this continent copies of these resolutions."t

The selectmen of each town in the colony were ordered before the
general election in May following, to send in to the Governor an exact
account of the white inhabitants in their several towns, besides the
negroes and Indians, and to " show the number of those under the age
of twenty years from those above that age, their sexes, & whether mar-
ried or single. The colonel of each regiment was ordered to send the
Governor the exact number of of^cers & soldiers in his regiment," thereby
to enable his Honor the Governor to prepare an answer lately received
from the Earl of Dartmouth, his Majesty's Secretary of State for
America.!

A committee was appointed by the Assembly to assist Governor
Trumbull in taking proper steps to pursue the claim of the Colony to
what was then called the Western Lands, " lying westward of the Dela-
ware River within the boundaries of this Colony." Any three of this

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 87. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 156.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 160.

28o HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i773

committee were to visit Governor Penn at Philadelphia, " to make an
amicable agreement with other claimants concerning the boundaries
of this Colony & the Province of Pennsylvania." The Assembly also
agreed to assert their claim to the Susquehannah Lands, " lying west-
ward of the Province of New York." This claim was sent by the com-
mittee appointed May, 1771, having been principally drawn up by Gov-
ernor Trumbull to Mr. Life, the colony agent in England, and was, after
a few alterations by him, returned " with opinion of counsel favorable to
the claims of the Colony."''^

David Dimon was established lieutenant, and Eliphalet Thorp ensign
of the second train-band of Fairfield ; Michael Lockwood ensign of the
train-band in Norfield, and John Sherwood lieutenant of the north train-
band of Fairfield, in the Fourth Regiment. t

The estates of Fairfield this year were valued at £50,400 ii.y. -^d.

Thus far but little attention had been paid to the import tax on tea
brought into the colonies. The previous duty before laid had been re-
newed, by way of decoying the people into purchasing it at a chcciper
rate, but this proved unavailing. The Americans would not import it
except in small amounts smuggled into the country; consequently, the
use of tea was cheerfully laid aside. Tea rapidly accumulated in the
English warehouses. The East India Company, encouraged by the Eng-
lish ministry, resolved to send several cargoes of tea to America, think-
ing if once landed it would be purchased. In this course they greatly
deceived themselves, for the Sons of Liberty were too much on the alert
to allow the tea to be landed, " & obliged the consignees to send it back."
In New York and Philadelphia the people refused to allow the pilots to
guide the ships into the harbor, or to reach the custom-house, and they
were forced to return to England. .At Charleston it was consigned to
damp cellars and quickly spoiled. (Governor Hutchinson and Admiral
Montague of Boston, against the strongest opposition, would not allow
the vessels to leave the harbor. This so incensed the patriots that seven
thousand citizens met at a town meeting on the i<')th of December to
listen to patriotic speeches from Adams, Quincy and others, at the close
of which about fifty persons, disguised as Mohawk Indians, with a war-
whoop rushed to the three ships in the harbor, tore open the hatchways,
and, raising the chests from the holds, broke them open and emptied the
tea into the water. This was ever afterwards called the Boston Tca-paily.

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. i6i. f Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. XI\', pp. 164 and 165.

1774] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 28l

News of this patriotic manifestation on the part of the people of
Boston spread as rapidly as couriers and newspapers could carry it, and
produced the most profound realization of the resolute stand which the
Sons of Liberty had taken throughout the country. They now were also
classed under the names of Wliigs, while those who favored the British
rule and impositions were called Tories.

Lieutenant-colonel David Burr, who had for several years been an
active and prominent lawyer in the General Assembly and a brave mili-
tary officer in the Fourth Regiment, died December, 1773, and was
buried in the Burial Hill Cemetery of Fairfield, where his tombstone still
stands.*

1774. On the I2th of January the General Assembly met at Hartford.
Ebenezer Silliman represented Fairfield and was chosen Speaker of the
House.

The Governor was authorized to prohibit all persons from taking
possession of any lands lying westward of New York without consent
of the General Assembly of Connecticut.

The inhabitants of the lands fifteen miles east of the Delaware River,
and bounded west by the Susquehanna River, at a place called Wyoming,
were joined into a township and called Westmoreland, which was an-
nexed to the County of Litchfield, it being bounded south by the south
line of the colony. These settlements were formed by men and their
families from Fairfield and other towns in the colony, f

Mr. Nathan Bulkley was appointed by the Assembly as a Justice of
the Peace in the County of Fairfield. Major William Samuel Johnson
was appointed to fill the place of Lieutenant-colonel David Burr, and
made lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Regiment of the militia in the
colony. Captain Gold Sellick Silliman was promoted to be major in the
same regiment. +

Anticipating the result of the opposition which had followed the ef-
forts to carry out the payment of the tea tax, Fairfield, as a seaport town,
lost no time in placing her militia under strict military discipline in
preparation for the next step Great Britain should take. They did not
have to wait long.

The British Parliament, upon learning of the outpouring of the tea in
Boston harbor, were incensed beyond expression.

* .\ppendix — Oenealogical. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, pp. 217, 219, and 496.

J Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 221.

282 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ]i774

In March three bills were introduced in parliament, one to shut up
the port of Boston and remove the custom-house to Salem. The second
virtually abrogated the Massachusetts charter by giving authority to
the Governor of appointing council and all officers and juries, and pro-
hibiting town meetings, and to protect the servants of the Crown. All
persons charged with murder were to be sent to England for trial. This
was afterwards called the Boston Port Bill. The boundaries of Quebec
were extended, so as to prevent Canada from taking part with the colo-
nies, and called the Quebec Act. Four more regiments were ordered to
be quartered in Boston. The usual war of words for and against taxing
the colonies was carried to a high pitch by the ministry.

" The bills, however, were carried by a majority of more than four
to one."*

General Gage was appointed governor of Massachusetts, and Boston
found herself virtually under martial law. Added to these measures. Dr.
Benjamin Franklin became the object of bitter invectives in the Privy
Council, and was charged with sending letters to America, " written by
some of^cers of the crown in Massachusetts to their friends in Eng-
land, which letters had been given to Franklin by some person who
had obtained them by strategy or unfair means." Meanwhile Dr. Frank-
lin's letters, as well as those of other agents for the colonies, had been
intercepted and read. Three days after Dr. Franklin was deprived of
his ofifice as deputy postmaster in America, t

General Gage proceeded to call together a General Assembly of his
own choosing; but this did not prevent the regularly chartered General
Assembly from meeting in October, when John Hancock, one of the
most ardent and capable statesmen of the Revolution, was elected presi-
dent. Every step was taken to place that colony in a state of defence,
" & there was no shrinking from the impending struggle."

Every town and settlement in New England and the provinces sym-
pathized with the humiliations under which Boston was placed. The
war-cloud darkened, but still firmer became the Sons of Liberty in their
sense of justice and freedom, daily increasing in numbers until a mighty
army was silently awaiting the inevitable.

The General Assembly met on the 12th of May, at Hartford. Judge
Ebenezer Silliman and Captain Samuel Squire represented Fairfield.

* Weber's Outlines of Universal History, p. 361. Student's Hume, p. 61S.
f Sec The Student's Hume, p. 617.

1774] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 283

Judge Silliman was also chosen Speaker of the House, and his son, Wil-
liam Silliman, clerk. Judge Silliman was also chosen Judge of the
Probate Court of Fairfield.

The Assembly, fully alive to the situation of the country, " & the
threatening aspect of Divine Providence on the liberties of the people,
& the dangers we are threatened with, call for humiliation & prayer to
the God of all mercies, to avert his judgment & save his people," re-
solved that the Governor be requested to issue a proclamation for a day
of public fasting throughout the colony, " that God would avert his judg-
ment which threatens us." Accordingly, Governor Trumbull issued a
proclamation on the 20th of July, and appointed August 31st for a day
of public fasting.*

The Assembly ordered an exact inventory of all the cannon, small
arms, ammunition and other military stores belonging to the colony at
New London, and have them properly cared for and placed in safe
keeping.

John Andrews was established captain, Stephen Wakeman lieutenant,
and Simon Andrews ensign of the train-band in the society of Green's
Farms in the Fourth Regiment, f

Dr. Francis Forgue, a native of Toulouse in France, applied to the
Assembly for papers of naturalization. He had taken up his residence
in Fairfield, after having been previously taken prisoner in the war with
France and confined for some time at Fairfield. Upon his release he
married Mrs. Sarah Dennie, and by her had a son, Francis, Jr. He,
therefore, applied for papers of naturalization to secure to himself and
make his son capable of inheriting real estate which he had purchased
in the colony. Upon taking the oath of allegiance he was declared to
be naturalized and entitled to all the privileges of a citizen born in the
colony. His son Francis was declared to be " as capable of inheriting
& taking by descent or purchase of all & any real estate or estates what-
soever, as he might, could, or would have had the said Francis the elder
been completely naturalized as aforesaid before the birth of the said
Francis the younger." The rent, estates and purchases, therefore, of
Dr. Forgue were confirmed to him as a naturalized citizen of the colony. X

On the 3d of June the House of Representatives responded to a
proposition from the neighboring British colonies in America to hold

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 261. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 265.

I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 309 and Appendix — Genealogical.

284 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i774

a congress of commissioners in some convenient place " to advise on
proper measures for advancing the best good of the colonies." A com-
mittee met at New London in July and August, and elected Eliphalet
Dyer, Silas Deane, Roger Sherman and Joseph Trumbull, any three of
whom were empowered to attend the congress in behalf of the colony.*
This congress met in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, September 5th.
It was attended by fifty-three delegates, representing all the colonies in
America but Georgia. The leading and ablest minds of the country were
collected to resolve upon the fate of the American colonies. Without a
dissenting voice they all resolved never to submit to the oppression &
illegal course of the British Parliament. They united in a petition to
the King, but without one ray of hope for any sympathy from him.

Meanwhile the closing of Boston harbor to the exclusion of com-
merce created universal sympathy, as all masters of vessels were pro-
hibited from receiving or discharging cargoes, and their principal liveli-
hood and that of many of the citizens was through commerce with home
and foreign ports. A sea captain in those days stood as high in his posi-
tion as a judge or military of^cer in his. Such was the indignation
aroused by the Port Bill that Salem and Marblehead offered Boston
their wharves, and almost every town and settlement raised clothing,
provisions and money to send to their relief.

The townsmen of Fairfield met early in the fall. Patriotic addresses
w^ere made from some of the principal gentlemen. It was voted to send
immediate relief to Boston. The following is a copy of the town reso-
lution and of a letter sent to their blockaded friends:

" Donations sent to Boston Oct. loth, 1774— At a Town meeting held at this date the
subscription for the relief of the poor of Boston was closed, and the same sent to Boston
in the most prudent and expeditious manner.

Capt. Abraham Gold, Messrs. Joseph Strong and Moss Kent be a committee to pro-
vide some vessel or vessels to transport what may be received by the General Committee
with all expedition to the overseers of the poor, or such other persons or committee as
may be appointed by the Town of Boston to receive such donations as shall be sent for
the relief of the poor of said Town; and that the master of such vessel or vessels take a
receipt of such overseers or committee and deliver the same to said committee first men-
tioned in this vote at his or their return from said voyage."

The voyage was successfully made and proved of great relief to the
suffering Bostonians, who replied by the bearers of the bountiful provi-
sions sent, in the following grateful terms:

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 324.

1774] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 28,5

Boston, Nov. 24, 1774.
Gentlemen : —

The testimony which the patriotic inhabitants of the town of Fairfield have given of
their attachment to the common & glorious cause of Liberty by their Hberal donations of
seven hundred & fifty bushels of grain by Capt. Thorp, has afforded much comfort as
well as seasonable relief to their friends in Boston, who are now suffering under the cruel
rod of tyranny & oppression. The sympathy of our friends is a great support under our
trials, notwithstanding the greatness & severity of them ; & we trust, through the power
of our God, we shall be enabled to persevere in our opposition to the enemies of America,
& so answer the hopes and expectations of our friends, of whose generous donations we
trust we shall ever retain a grateful sense.

We are particularly obliged by the assurance you give us, that you are not insensible
of our sufferings, & the hope you express that you shall consider yourselves bound to
afford us such succour & relief as your circumstances & our wants may demand.

May a kind Providence bountifully reward your liberality & kindness, and the blessing
of Him that was ready to perish come down & rest on the heads of the generous inhabitants
of the town of Fairfield.

We hope the enclosed account of the manner in which the committee are distributing
the donations of our friends & benefactors, in whose cause (as our own) this town is
suffering, will meet with your approbation, as it will afford great satisfaction to your
obliged friends & humble servants,

Henry Hill.

By order of the Committee of Donations.
634 Bushels of Rye.
116 Bushels of Wheat.

750 — Bushels.
Received 3 pair of shoes of Capt. Thorp.

To Mr. Jonathan Sturges & others, Committee for collecting donations
in the town of Fairfield, Connecticut." *

The Daughters of Liberty in Fairfield formed themselves into a relief
society. Stockings were knit, home-spun garments donated, shirts of
fine linen were made by dainty fingers and, in fact, every helpful thing
done to give sympathy and courage to their besieged relatives and
friends in Boston, t

* Fairfield Town Records.

f Testimony of Miss Eliza Hull of Fairfield. From the Republican Farmer, April 15, 1S29,
copied from the Buffalo Republican : " The spinning-wheels and weaving looms of the Daughters
of Liberty were never more energetically used. Not one idle moment was allowed, but with whir
and speed the wheels of the Daughters buzzed to the songs of liberty. Yards and yards of home
spun linen and all kinds of home clothing were spun. Fifteen years before the Revolution the
wife of General Washington kept sixteen spinning wheels running, and wore the fabrics made in
her house under her own direction." — Quackenbos' Hist. U. S. A., p. 187.

" Previous to the year 1767 the art of spinning of all sorts was confined to the fingers of the
fair alone on high and low wheels. The spinning jenny was at this time invented by James Har-
graves of Lancashire, England, containing three spindles. The mob destroyed his works, believing

286 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i774

At the meeting of the General Assembly at New Haven, October
13th, a law was passed, calling out all the military companies in the
several regiments in the colony, " to be exercised in the use of arms &
other exercises proper for a company of infantry," twelve half days from
that time until the ist of May, 1775. A fine was imposed upon all non-
commissioned officers or soldiers who should neglect this order of two
shillings, to be divided equally between the other members of the com-
pany to which they belonged. To those who discharged their duty, a
premium of six shillings was allowed each officer and soldier. Every
regiment of foot as well as of horse was ordered to meet either together
or in parts at the discretion of the commanding officer, for military exer-
cises one day before the loth of May. Each non-commissioned officer,
trooper and soldier was allowed one shilling for attending such exercises.
The militia of several small towns were formed into regiments, and
companies of volunteers were ordered to report to the colonels of the
regiment to which they offered their services and to choose their own offi-
cers. The colonels of the several regiments were required to collect the
firearms and other implements of war of their several regiments, to be
repaired and fitted for use, and make returns of their number and con-
dition with all convenient dispatch.

On the fourth Monday of November a general muster of all the mili-
tary companies was ordered to take place, for the purpose of military
exercises and for the inspection of their arms and accoutrements by the
officers of each company.*

A most humane act was passed during the sitting of this Assembly,

his success would ruin the laboring classes. He removed to Nottingham, and rebuilt his works,
and added to the number of his spindles ; the mob again demolished his frames all above three
spindles. But he was not to be overcome ; he turned his attention to carding, and worked four
cards on a frame worked by a pulley against four worked by hand, thus saving half the labor, but
afterwards constructed cards on rollers or cylinders. This is now only half a century ago, and
what a wonderful revolution in the manufacture of cotton ! The manufacturing of cotton in
America was first begun in Providence, R. I., in 1786, by Messrs. Anthony Dexter & Peck. Their
spinning was done by hand with a jenny of a spindle constructed by a clock-maker of Providence.
At length Major Orr of Bridgewater, Mass., imported some cotton machinery of which the com-
pany drew new patents, and more largely extended their works, and after a year removed to Paw-
tucket and applied water power. In 1783 Samuel Slater, Esq., arrived from England at Provi-
dence. He could both build and make machinery for manufacturing cotton ; and from that day
to this the business has been constantly progressing and e.xtending in Rhode Island and the neigh-
boring .States. We now manufacture of cotton goods more than is required for home-consumption,
exporting large cjuantities to the Southern Continent."
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 327.

1774] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 287

prohibiting the importation and sale of Indian, negro or mulatto slaves
into the colony, mider a penalty of one hundred pounds from any person
^vho should either import, sell or purchase them.*

Major Gold Sellick Silliman was appointed lieutenant-colonel and
Captain Agur Judson major of the Fourth Regiment of militia, t The
Fourth Regiment of Connecticut largely supplied men and officers for
the Fifth Regiment; in fact, constant drains were made upon it for the
northern regiments.

Elijah Abel was appointed captain, Peter Hendrick lieutenant, and
Seth Silliman ensign of the first train-band of Fairfield.

Edward Burroughs was made ensign of the Stratford train-band in
the Fourth Regiment.

David Dimon was appointed captain, Eliphalet Thorp lieutenant, and
Samuel Penfield ensign of the second train-band of Fairfield.

Ezekiel Hull was appointed lieutenant, Stephen Betts cornet, and
Jonathan Silliman quartermaster of the second troop of horse in the
Fourth Regiment, t

It was resolved that every town in the colony should be provided as
soon as possible with double the quantity of powder, ball and' flints that
hitherto had been required by law.

Answei"s to the questions from the Secretary of State in reply to the
Earl of Dartmouth's queries on trade, etc., were printed and ordered to
be circulated in each town, requesting materials for further replies to be
sent to the Assembly for consideration.!

Fifteen thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be struck
off for the expenses of the colony, payable before January, 1777, and
dated January, 1775, to redeem which a tax of one penny on the pound
was levied, according to the list of taxable estates of this October, and
an additional tax of one penny for the list of 1775, which taxes were to
be paid into the colony treasury December, 1775, and December, 1776. ||

The Assembly, while recognizing King George the Third to be their
lawful king, took occasion to renew and declare their chartered liberties
and their just rights as colonial subjects of Great Britain; that the right
of taxing the colonies was vested alone in the General Assembly. They
opposed the Court of Admiralty recently established by Parliament, as

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 329. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 331.

J Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, pp. 334, 340, 341. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, 343.

1 Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, 346.

288 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i774

well as carrying persons to England, '* & in a summary way without a
jury trial," as unconstitutional and subversive of the chartered rights of
the free subjects of the colony; that the harbors and ports could not be
shut up without sacrificing the liberties of the people. They declared
the late act of Parliament in closing and blockading the port of Boston
** a precedent justly alarming to the British colonies in America ; incon-
sistent & subversive to their constitutional rights," etc. " That we look
upon the well-being & greatest security of the Colony to depend (under
God) in our connection with Great Britain, which it was hoped might
be maintained as it had previously been ever since it had existed." These
resolutions were eleven in number.*

" At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Fairfield held on the 29th
Dec, A. D. 1774, Ebeneser Silliman, Esqr., moderator.

This meeting having duly considered the agreement and association entered into by the
Continental Congress lately held at Philadelphia, do heartily approve thereof and ratify
the same ; and take this opportunity to express their most grateful sense of the good
services of the worthy delegates from this Colony who attended said Congress : And, pur-
suant to the eleventh article of said agreement and association, make choice of the follow-
ing gentlemen to be a committee for the purpose therein mentioned (viz.) Gold Sellick
Silliman, Johnathan Sturges, Job Bartram, Andrew Rowland, Samuel Squier, Johnathan
Bulkley, Elijah Abel, Increase Bradley, Eliphalet Thorp, Aaron Jennings, Benjamin Lacy,
Daniel Wilson, Asariah Odell, David Hubbell, Zalmon Bradley, John Hubbell, Thomas
Cable, Joseph Hanford, Stephen Gorham, Thaddeus Burr, Johnathan Lewis, David Dimon,
John Wilson, Joseph Strong, Albert Sherwood, Moss Kent, Samuel Wakcman, John
Squire, Ichabod Wheeler, Ebenezer Bartram, Johnathan Dimon, Jabes Hill, George Burr,
-Hesekiah Hubbell, Benjamin Wheeler, Joseph Hyde, Jeremiah Sherwood, Daniel Andrews,
Hesekiah Bradley, Joseph Bradley, Ephraim Lyon, and John Allen.

" Voted that any person or persons who shall directly or indirectly, with intent to
dissuade, disunite or otherwise prevent us from strictly complying & conforming to said
agreement & association, publish, or sell, or otherwise dispose of any books or pamphlets
or publications in this town, directly tending thereto ; such person or persons shall be dealt
with & exposed in the same manner as is prescribed in said eleventh article for such person
or persons as violate said agreement or association.

" Voted that a County Congress be held to advise & consult on the most effectual
measures to carry the said agreement & association into execution.

"Voted that Gold Selleck Silliman. Jonathan Sturges, Andrew Rowland, Job Bar-
tram & Thaddeus Burr be a committee of correspondence for this town. The same com-
mittee to attend the County Congress at such time & place as they shall appoint agreeable
to the other towns in this county who shall adopt this measure."!

The strictest economy was agreed upon by the Continental Congress
in their Articles of Association, even to restricting funeral expenses.

* Col. Kcc. Conn., XIV, p, 347. f Fairfield Town Records on Votes.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 289

" That upon the death of any relative, or friend, none of us, or any 01
our families will go into any further mourning dress, than a black crape
ribbon on the arm or hat for gentlemen; & a black ribbon or necklace
for ladies; & we will discontinue the giving of gloves & scarfs at funerals."

One of the greatest trials which the Sons of Liberty had to contend
with was the opposition of the Tories to these patriotic resolutions.
There were many people throughout the country who were bitterly op-
posed to any separation from the mother country. These men were
watched and their acts and sayings reported to the authorities. There
were people who delighted in burning such offensive partisans in efBgy,
riding them through the towns on a rail, with an occasional coat of tar
and feathers, and pulling down Stamp Act ofBcers' houses over their
heads. But these acts were not sanctioned by the town authorities or
by the General Assembly.

The taxable list of estates at Fairfield were £51,004 los. 3d.

1775. At a session of Council held at Hartford, January 4th and 5th,
it was voted to procure for the use of the colony three hundred barrels
of gunpowder, fifteen tons of lead and sixty thousand good flints.*

During the first week in February " seven half barrels of gunpowder
which was being carried to New Haven was seized by one William Hub-
bard of Stamford. A body of Liberty lads headed by one Sergeant Bar-
tram attacked the house of the collector of Stamford, took possession of
the powder, & carried it off on horses to Fairfield. A party of thirty
men from Hartford under Col. Wyllys marched to Fairfield, took pos-
session of the powder & carried it to Hartford." f

When the County delegates were in session at Fairfield, March nth,
to ratify the resolutions of the Continental Congress, the following toasts
were drunk by a party of gentlemen in that town : " Additions to Whigs;
Subtraction to Tories; Multiplication to the Friends of Liberty, & Divi-
sion to the enemies of America."''

Negro slaves gave much cause for anxiety, and in several instances
proved treacherous to their owners in order to gain their freedom. §

Governor Trumbull called a special session of the General Assembly

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 387. f Rivington's Gazette.

I Rivington's Gazette.

^ The colored people of the colony entered fully into the spirit of the independence of their
masters. They made preparations to form themselves into companies ; but fearing they might go
further and use their show of patriotism to free themselves, it was deemed advisable to discourage
them. — Hinman's War of the Revolution, p. 31.
19

290 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i775

March 2d, at New Haven. Mr. Jonathan Sturges and Captain Samuel
Squire represented Fairfield.

An act was passed requiring ever}^ naval officer in the colony to give
a bond of one thousand dollars to the Governor, with two sureties for
the faithful discharge of his trust, for receipts of duties on rum and other
dutiable articles of goods and merchandise.

Ebenezer Burr was established lieutenant, and Ebenezer Hill en-
sign of the train-band of Greenfield, in the Fourth Regiment.*

In February, Parliament declared that Massachusetts was in rebel-
lion, and that an additional force be added to the 3,000 British troops
already stationed there. This act and the blockaded harbor of Boston
elicited the sympathy and generosity of all classes. " The Assembly voted
to recommend the several towns in the Colony to cheerfully & liberally
contribute to the relief of their suffering brethren — esteeming it an in-
cumbent duty & an acceptable service in the sight of God & the country."

A letter was addressed by Governor Trumbull to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, protesting
against the course which Great Britain continued to pursue towards her
American colonies:

— •" that while disagreements existed by the severe measures of Parliament, that British
Supremacy & American Liberty are not incompatible with each other, having existed &
flourished together for more than a century; & that the unlimited power, lately claimed
by the British Parliament, drove them to the borders of despair." He wrote of the great
distress in which Boston had been placed by the Port-bill, where many thousands of his
Majesty's subjects were " reduced to the utmost distress, & the whole province thrown
into a state of anarchy & confusion by the Act changing the constitution of that province,
& depriving them of some of their chartered rights; that if the act for shutting up their
port was repealed, the armed forces withdrawn from Boston, & the people put upon a
footing to act freely & constitutionally, he doubted not but that, as they have upon all
former occasions shown themselves to be a generous, brave & loyal people, they would
comply with any reasonable requisitions that should be made by his Majesty." It was
further urged that Earl Dartmouth should give his serious attention to " the unhappy case
of that distressed people, & in effect of all the colonies, whose fate seemed to be involved
in theirs, & who are therefore most anxiously distressed for them." After this letter had
been submitted to both houses, and that part left out in regard to the dutiful return of
the Massachusetts people if their ports were opened, etc., it was unanimously approved,
and a copy of it ordered to be sent to the Earl of Dartmouth. f

March ist the I'^ishery bill was passed by Parliament, prohibiting the
American colonies from carrying on any fisheries on the Banks of New

* Co\. Kcc. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 398. f Col. Kec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 410.

17751 THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 29I

Foundland and other places under certain conditions and for a limited
time, except whale fishery, which was to be continued until November.
This act was largely prompted by the King.

It was in March that the Virginia legislature assembled to make
preparations to organize an American army, to cooperate with the forces
of the other colonies. Eloquent speeches were made and an oration by
Patrick Henry thrilled his listeners with enthusiastic patriotism when
he uttered those memorable words: "I know not what course others
may take; but for me, give me liberty or give me death."

Active military preparations were taking place in every part of the
country for the struggle, which now seemed inevitable, and miniite-mcn,
ready to defend the country, were prepared for immediate action. About
8,000 troops were assembled at Philadelphia, fully prepared for any
emergency. Every eye and thoug'ht was turned toward Boston, where
a plot had been set on foot by General Gage to seize upon the cannon,
powder and ammunition which the patriots had secretly conveyed 10
Concord; and to secure as prisoners Samuel Adams and John Hancock.
The affair was carried on with great secrecy. At eleven o'clock on the
night of April i8th eight hundred men set out for Concord, but General
Warren, having discovered the design of Gage, sent messengers by dif-
ferent routes to give the alarm. Paul Revere's Lantern, immortalized
by Longfellow, was hung in the belfry of the North Church, which was
seen by the people of Charlestown, who immediately sent out messengers
of alarm, so that in a short time the British troops, under General Pit-
cairn, having reached Lexington, ten miles distant from Boston, found
themselves assailed by every boy, youth and aged man in the vicinity,
eager to strike the first blow for liberty. As brave as the spirit of the
patriots was, they were forced to give way under British fire after a loss
of several men. A number of British were also killed. The main body
having now joined the British, they took up their march towards Con-
cord. Another skirmish followed, the minute-men and inhabitants of
the place having bravely met the enemy. Several men were killed on
both sides, and although the British were reinforced by 1,000 men under
Lord Percy, they were assailed all along the route to Charlestown by
the yeomanry from forests, houses, sheds, trees and fences. Some of
the British officers and their soldiers fell by the roadside under the well-
directed aim of sharpshooters, well skilled in the use of firearms. By
the time Charlestown was reached the British had 65 killed, 180 wounded

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

[1775

292

and 28 taken prisoners. The Americans lost 59 killed, 39 wounded and
5 missing.*

Thus was fought the first battle of the War of the American Revolution.
As fast as man and horse could travel, the news was heralded from town
to town, and from colony to colony, until the whole country was aroused
with patriotism. Men hurried from all quarters towards Boston. Within
a few days an army of 16,000 men was gathered around Boston, and the
siege of the oppressed city was begun. From Fairfield marched forth
a brave band to the relief of their beleaguered friends. Their names de-
serve the highest record for patriotism, for they were among the first who
set out to defend the homes of their kinsmen and countrymen.

"From the Town of Fairfield for the relief of Boston & Lexington, April, 1775:

Isaac Jarvis
Andrew Thorp
Isaac Jennings
David Annabel
Daniel Wingfield
Levi Mallery
Paul Nichols
Samuel Sherwood
Judson Sturges
Abijah Morehouse
Joseph Squire
William Jennings
John Pearson
Nehemiah Whitney
Jonathan Darrow, Jr.
Nathan Thorp
Nathan Peet Jackson
William Hubbell
John Hayes
Solomon Green
Oriel Morehouse
Zebulon Kirtland
Captain Elijah Abel's Express to New Haven."

Captain David Dimon

Lieut. Peter Hendrick

Lieut. Edward Bourroughs

Ensign Wakeman Burr

Sergeant Abijah Sterling

Sergeant Aaron Hubbell

Sergeant Ebenezer Wakeman, Gerk

Privates.
Israel Bibbins
Andrew Wakeman
Walter Buddington
Isaac Burr
Thomas Elwood
Ebenezer Squire
John Fuller

Daniel Morris, Jr. "^

Nathan Seeley
Benjamin Hall
Josiah Lacey
Joseph Hubbell
Isaac Hubbell

so marched for the relief of New York, viz. ;
Aaron Hubbell, Sergeant
Thomas Couch, Clerk

" This company with a few changes
David Dimon, Captain
Peter Hendrick, Lieut.
James Hambleton, Lieut.

Wakeman Burr, Ensign. Privates

Albert Chapman, Sergeant John Watson

John Mills, Sergeant Judson Sturges

John Odle, Sergeant Abijah Morehouse

* Quackenbos, Hist. U. S. A., p. 205.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 293

Thomas Elwood Moses Sturges

Andrew Thorp Shuball Gorham

Isaac Jarvis Gideon Morehouse

Nathan Thorp / Andrew Hendrick

William Jennings John McKee

Nehemiah Fowler Joseph Green

Isaac Burr Asael Disbrow

Israel Bibbins Ezekiel Canfield

Joseph Squire Nathan Peet Jackson

Nehemiah Whitney James Knapp

Josiah Jennings John Hayes

Samuel Bradley John Pearson

Nathan Bradley Levi Mallery

Daniel Bament Samuel Chard

Joseph Hayes " Josiah Smith

Joseph Stratton William McCarthy

Peter Winton David Sturges." *

Without orders, without a commander-in-chief and without time to
make preparations, these brave men marched in a quick and orderly
manner, all spontaneously moving as if by magic, from an earnest sense
of sympathy and patriotism. The Connecticut and Rhode Island forces
were under their own officers, who provided them with arms and rations.
They were men of all ranks in life, sturdy farmers and merchants, aS well
as gentlemen's sons; all ready to obey the discipline of their officers.

Governor Trumbull called a special General Assembly to meet at
Hartford, April 26th.

The act passed in October, requiring the ofificers of the several regi-
ments in the colony to call their regiments to assemble for military exer-
cises, on account of inconvenience, was repealed. An embargo was laid
upon exports by water " until the 20th of May on wheat, rye, Indian
corn, pork, beef, live cattle, pease, beans, bread, flour & every kind of
meal, except necessary stores for vessels bound to sea."

Thaddeus Burr, Esq., of Fairfield, and Charles Church Chandler of
Woodstock were appointed a committee, at the expense of the colony,
to employ news-carriers to perform regular stages with all convenient
speed to and from Fairfield and Woodstock, so as to arrive at Hartford
every Saturday. Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., of New London was appointed
to the same duty to and from New London and Woodstock to New
Haven in the Fairfield stage, to reach new London on Saturdays, and
to forward all proper intelligence with convenient dispatch; and that

* Record of Connecticut, Men of the War of the Revolution, pp. 10, 11.

294 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^775

each of them forward as speedily as possible all proper intelligence each
way on Monday mornings.*

A committee was appointed to supply and forward all necessary provisions to the
forces who had gone to the relief of Boston and its vicinity. One-fourth of the militia
was ordered to be called out and made ready for the special defence of the colony, subject
to the orders of the Assembly. The enlisted men were to be formed into companies of
one hundred men each, the companies to be formed into si.x regiments, to be commanded
by one major general, assisted by two brigadier generals, each of which general officer
should take command of a regiment as colonel ; that each regiment be commanded by one
colonel, a lieutenant-colonel and a major, each of which field officers should command a
company as captain, and each general officer be assisted by two majors of his regiment,
each company to be commanded by one captain, two lieutenants and one ensign; all duly
commissioned by the Governor. There were also appointed for each regiment one adjutant,
one quartermaster, one chaplain, one surgeon and two surgeon-mates, all to be employed
not exceeding seven months. A premium of 52 shillings was oflfered and one month's
pay in advance to each non-commissioned officer and individual upon their enlistment,
each man supplying himself with a blanket, knapsack, clothing, etc.. subject to the inspec-
tion of his captain. Each company was furnished with good firearms belonging to the
Colony. Each soldier who should furnish his own firearms was allowed a premium of ten
shillings. Where arms could not be furnished, they were ordered to be impressed from
householders and other persons not on the militia roll; who were allowed a premium of
ten shillings for their use, or loss in full value; any misuse of which was to be deducted
from the wages of the person carrying them. " Three thousand stands of arms of the
following dimensions, to wit: the length of the barrel three feet ten inches, the diameter
of the bore from inside to inside three-quarters of an inch, the length of the blade of
the bayonet fourteen inches, the length of the socket four inches & one-quarter, with iron
ramrod, &c. ; five hundred spades ; five hundred pick-axes, three hundred narrow axes &
five hundred tents " were ordered to be procured and held in readiness for the use of the
colony. A particular account of all arms was to be taken and appraised by indifferent
judges. Six pence a day was allowed each non-commissioned officer and citizen from the
day of his enlistment for billeting until supplied from the colony stores. A form of com-
missioning officers and subalterns was agreed upon, f

Jonathan Trumbull was made " Captain-General & Governor-in-Chief
over his Majesty's English Colonies of Connecticut in New England, in
America." Officers were appointed to take conmiand of all enlisted
persons. t

David Wooster was appointed Major-General, Joseph Spencer Briga-
dier-General, and Israel Putnam Second Brigadier-General of all the
forces. Officers were appointed for each regiment. David Waterbury,
Jr., was made colonel, Samuel Whiting lieutenant-colonel, Thomas Hobby
major of the Fifth Regiment. David Dimon captain, Peter Hendrick

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 416. f C.o\. Rcc. Conn., \'ol. 14, p. 4119.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 421.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 295

first lieutenant, Ebenezer Hill, second lieutenant, and Wakeman Burr
ensig-n of the fourth company in the Fifth Regiment, tnil resigned,
and Wakeman Burr was promoted first lieutenant, Josiah Lacy ensign,
Rev. Samuel Wood chaplain, John Wood surgeon, and Samuel Whiting-
surgeon's mate in this regiment. Captain Joseph Trumbull was made
Commissary-General, and Samuel Squire of Fairfield one of the army
commissaries. All of them were instructed to furnish as quickly as pos-
sible their different regiments with necessary provisions, etc.*

Fifty thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be printed,
without interest, dated May 10, 1775, and payable on or before May 10,
1777, to redeem which a tax of seven pence on the pound was ordered
to be levied on all the polls and taxable estates in the colony, to be
collected from the October tax lists of 1775 aiul 1777. t

A committee was appointed to take charge of the powder for each
county. Thaddeus Burr was chosen to care for twenty-eight half barrels
of powder, to be sent from New London to Fairfield.:}:

A committee was appointed to examine and make a report of the
condition of the sea-coast, ports and defences of the colony, and to con-
sider the best way of securing, defending and protecting them and the
shipping.

Four regiments under Brigadier-Generals Spencer and Putnam and
Colonels Hinman and Parsons were " to forthwith get into readiness &
march forward to Boston, or such places near there, as they should be
ordered."!

It was resolved by the Assembly that :

" Considering the dark & gloomy aspect of Divine Providence over this Colony &
land, & that it is the indispensable duty of every people sufifering under the afflictive
chastisements of a righteous God, with deep repentance, supplication & amendment of
life, to endeavour by all the ways which God has prescribed to avert his anger & incline
him to become reconciled to his people ; that it be recommended to all the ministers of the
gospel in this Colony, that they earnestly endeavour to dissuade their several congregations
from all excess, & all diversions which may be improper in the present day of distress ; &
that both they & their people cry mightily to God that he would be pleased to spare his
people & be gracious unto them, & visit them with his loving kindness & tender mercies ; &
not give up his heritage to reproach, but preserve unto them their great & important
rights & privileges, & guide & prosper the public councils of this Colony & land ; & in this
hour of difficulty & distress graciously manifest His power in the deliverance & salvation
of His people, to the glory of His own name."|l

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 430. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14. p. 432.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 433- § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, p. 434.

II Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 434.

296 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i775

All debtors imprisoned for debt were released, and " the creditor
allowed to take out an alias execution against the estates of such
debtors."*

Governor Trumbull addressed a strong letter April 25th to General
Gage, disapproving his course at Boston, as it was well known that his
rash measures to prevent the cause of the Sons of Liberty had hastened
and increased their righteous indignation.

He " demanded to know to what end such hostile preparations were daily being
made; if it was his intention to ravage & desolate the country; why these outrages had
been committed; why the town of Boston was blockaded, & why they were constantly
hearing of fresh destination of troops to this country." " The people of this Colony," the
Governor wrote, " you may rely upon it, abhor the idea of taking up arms against the
troops of their Sovereign, & dread nothing so much as the horrors of a civil war. But,
Sir, at the same time, we beg leave to assure your Excellency that as they apprehended
themselves justified by the principle of self-defence they are most firmly resolved to defend
their rights & privileges to the last extremity, nor will they be restrained from giving aid
to their brethren if any unjustifiable attack is made upon them. Be so good as to explain
yourself? Is there no way to prevent this unhappy dispute from coming to extremities?
Is there no alternative but absolute submission or the desolations of war? By that
humanity which constitutes so amiable a part of j'our character, & for the honour of
our Sovereign & the glory of the British Empire, we entreat you to prevent it if possible,"
etc.

General Gage in a haughty spirit of defiance denied the right of the
colonies to question the acts of the British Parliament, or any usurija-
tion of his control under its authority. Owing to the beleaguered con-
dition of Boston by the armed force which had so suddenly surrounded
that city, he hinted that he had reason to begin his warfare on seaports
" who are at the mercy of the Heet." In fact, he declared himself " to be
the defender of all his Majesty's oppressed subjects in America." t

The General Assembly held its usual session May nth. Mr. Jonathan
Sturges and Captain Samuel Squire represented Fairfield. Ebenezer
Silliman was apjiointed for tlic last time Judge of the Probate Court of
Fairfield.

An order was given for issuing fifty thousand pounds of bills of credit
on the colony, equal to hrwfiil money, dated June i, 1775. and made pay-
able June, 1778, to redeem which a tax of seven pence was levied on all
polls and taxable estates in the colony on the list of October, 1776, with
the additions to be paid into the treasury June, 1778.

The embargo laid upon several articles in April was extended until

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 14, p. 435. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XIV, pp. 440-444.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 297

August. A large order was made for all sorts of army implements —
tents, drums, fifes and necessary apparatus. Each of the six regiments
under orders were given six standards, to be distinguished by their color :
the 1st regiment yellow% 2d green, 3d scarlet, 4th crimson, 5th white,
and the 6th azure.

A premium of five shillings was offered for every stand of arms, and
one shilling and sixpence for every good gun-lock manufactured in the
colony before October 20th. Committees were appointed to carry out
these orders. A premium of ten pounds was also offered for every fifty
pounds of saltpetre, and five pounds for every hundred pounds of sul-
phur manufactured in the colony within one year.*

In passing laws for calling out troops to defend the country a most
touching summary of what our ancestors had done for the colonies from
the beginning was set forth by the Assembly, showing:

" How wisely they had governed the colonies ; how parliament had recently usurped
their chartered rights, by which the port of Boston had been closed ; the charter of Massa-
chusetts subverted & destroyed; the Roman Catholic religion established in the country;
their fisheries proscribed to a limited degree; all petitions of redress scoffed at & treated
with contempt by his Majesty's ministers of State; the refusal to surrender our just rights,
liberties & immunities have been styled Rebellion ; & fleets & army sent into the neighbor-
mg Colony to force them into submission; &by acts of vengeance from the British troops, a
standing army forced upon them; the peaceable inhabitants of Boston had been driven
from their houses; that they had imbued their hands with the blood of our countrymen,
which acts & relations tended to force & to terrify all the colonies into submission to
Parliamentary taxation, by which : ' Our liberties, our lives & property will become pre-
carious & dependent upon the will of men over whom we can have no check or control ' —
' religion, property, personal safety, learning, arts, public & private virtue, social happiness,
& every blessing attendant on liberty will fall victim to the principles & measures advanced
& pursued against us; whilst shameless vice, infidelity, irreligion, abject dependence,
ignorance, superstition, meanness, servility & the whole train of despotism present them-
selves to our view in melancholy prospect.' That the Colony of Connecticut having always
& freely yielded to the British Parliament the regulation of our external commerce for
British interests & benefit— excluding every idea of taxation for raising a revenue without
our consent; that the colonies claimed only a right to regulate our internal police &
government ; & are most desirous of peace & deprecate the horrors of war ; yet, while they
see military preparations against them at hand, & the hopes of peace & harmony placed
at a greater distance, being fully determined never to make a voluntary sacrifice of their
rights, not knowing how soon parliament & ministerial vengeance may be directed against
them immediately, as it is now against the Province of Massachusetts Bay, who are
suffering in the common cause of British America, trusting in the justice of their cause
& the righteous providence of Almighty God for the restoration of quiet & peace; or for
success in their efforts for their defence, have thought it their duty to raise troops for the
defence of their Colony." f

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, pp. 14, 15. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 18.

298 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i775

The Assembly then proceeded to make regulations for the govern-
ment of the officers and troops, which included fifty-three Articles of War.
" These articles were substantially the same as those adopted by the
Massachusetts Provincial Congress April 15, 1775."*

Having learned that a design had been formed by the British min-
istry to make an invasion from Quebec upon the northern colonies, by
which the inhabitants residing in the vicinity of Ticonderoga would be
exposed to various incursions, the Assembly, " impelled by a just regard
for their own preservation," resolved to take possession of Ticonderoga
and Crown Point, in which forts it was known that there was a large
supply of cannon and military stores. f

This undertaking was successfully carried out, Ticonderoga was
taken May loth by Colonel Ethan Allen, Captain Seth Warner and Cap-
tain Baker, assisted by Benedict Arnold, with sixteen men from Connecti-
cut, forty or fifty from Berkshire County, Mass., and about one hundred
from Bennington, Vermont, without the loss of a man. Forty-seven
British privates with their ofificers and families, were taken prisoners
and sent to Hartford. Captain Seth Warner, assisted by Captain Baker,
followed up this victory by taking Crown Point. By these victories a
large quantity of cannon, small-arms and ball were taken, which proved
of inestimable value, particularly during the siege of Boston.

It was resolved by the Assembly that as the officers and soldiers
taken at Ticonderoga and Crown Point had been sent into Connecticut
as prisoners of war, " the dictates of humanity required that they & their
families should be provided for & supported while they remained in the
Colony." A committee was appointed to take care of them and see
" that they were treated with humanity, kindness & respect, according
to their rank & station"; and to encourage them "to secure profitable
labor from any one who would employ them, until the Continental Con-
gress should dispose of them.

Thaddeus Burr, with Charles Church Chandler & Gurdon Saltonstall,
were employed as News Carriers by stage to & from Fairfield to Wood-
stock; & from New London to New Haven on the Fairfield stage; & that
they forward with all convenient dispatch each way all proper news, as
well as ' all extraordinary intelligence.' "*

A Council of War was appointed to assist Governor Trumbull when

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, pp. 22-31. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, p. 32.

JCoI. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, p. 32.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIOxV 299

the Assembly was not in session in directing the marches and stations
of the army and for the special defence of the colony. All commissions
for officers, chaplains and surgeons were ordered dated May i, 1775. It
was voted to borrow five hundred pounds of powder from the adjacent
towns to be sent to Ticonderoga and Crown Point with the utmost expe-
dition, under the care of Colonel James Easton. Two hundred pounds
was also granted Colonel Easton to defray the expenses of conveying
the powder to Ticonderoga and to pay other necessary expenses.*

Gold Sellick Silliman was appointed colonel of the Fourth Regiment
of mihtia, in place of Colonel John Read resigned. John Sherwood was
made captain, Samuel Seeley lieutenant, and Najah Bennett ensign of
the twelfth company in the Fourth Regiment. Thaddeus Bennet was
made captain, Edward Burroughs lieutenant and Abijah Sterling ensign
of the third company of the Fourth Regiment. t

Messrs. Thaddeus Burr, Nathaniel Wales and Pierpont Edwards were
appointed commissioners to attend the Provincial Congress of New Jersey
and of New York, " to procure intelligence of the measures that might
be adopted by them respecting the common cause of the British Colonies;
to communicate to them the measures which had been taken by Con-
necticut. & to cultivate the friendship & harmony subsisting betw^een
those Provinces & this Colony." Messrs. Wales and Burr appeared be-
fore the New York Congress May 24th. Pierpont Edwards proceeded
to Trenton May 29th. t

"A letter dated May i from General Gage had fallen into the hands of the patriots
of New York, from which it was discovered that a plot had been set on foot to seize the
members of the Continental Congress & to take them as prisoners to England. In con-
sequence every patriot was ready to defend the members of the approaching Congress.
About 8000 troops assembled in Philadelphia fully armed & equipped for any emergency.
On the 5 of May Benjamin Franklin arrived at Philadelphia from London. On the 6 the
Connecticut delegates, the Honorables Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman Esqr. & Silas
Deane Esqr., having set out for the Congress, passed through Fairfield, & were met a few
miles out of New York by a great number of the principal gentlemen of that city in
carriages & on horseback, & escorted by them into the city, & by near a thousand men
under arms. The roads were lined with a great number of people. Their arrival was
announced by the ringing of bells & other demonstrations of joy. They had double sen-
tries placed at the doors of their lodging houses." i;

"On May 8th the eastern delegates were joined by those of New York & King's
County & set out with them for Philadelphia, attended by a great train to the North

* Col, Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, pp. 40-48. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, pp. 42, 45, 48.

} Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 83.

§ Rivington's Gazette. Frank Moore's Diary of .\meiican Revolution.

300 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i775

River Ferry, where two or three sloops & a number of other vessels were provided for
them. About five hundred gentlemen & two hundred militia under arms crossed the
Ferry with them." They reached Philadelphia " May 24, & were met six miles outside
the city by the officers of all the military companies in the city, & many gentlemen on
horseback, in all about five hundred. When within two miles of the city they were
joined by a company of riflemen & infantry with a band of music, who conducted them
through the principal streets of the city to their lodgings amid the acclamations of near
fifteen thousand people." *

The second Continental Congress assembled May lotli, at Philadel-
phia. Unwilling to enter into war, and hoping that a peaceable settle-
ment might yet be made with Great Britain, the first action of this Con-
gress was " That while raising the sword in one hand, to extend the olive
branch with the other"; to address a loyal and earnest appeal to the
King, as well as to Parliament, assuring both that if their wrongs Avere
redressed " they were willing to forget the sufferings & oppression to
which they had been subjected."

Having done all that men of high-minded, conscientious and patriotic
lovers of right and of independence and sound judgment could oft'er,
they proceeded to place the country in an attitude of defence; to organ-
ize an army and to appoint military officers.

On the 15th of June Colonel George Washington was appointed by
the united voice of the Congress '' Commander-in-chief of the army al-
ready raised & to be raised for the defence of the American liberties."
Artemus Ward of Massachusetts Bay, Charles Lee of Virginia, Philip
Schuyler of Albany, New York, and Israel Putnam of Connecticut were
appointed major-generals, and ten brigadier-generals, among w^hom were
Gates, Green, Montgomery and Sullivan.

Three million pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be issued.

While this important congress was in session Governor Trumbull and
his committee of war and of safety met at Lebanon, June 7th, and gave
orders for supplies and fifty pounds of powder to be sent forward to the
Connecticut troops at the camp near Boston under Brigadier-Generals
Spencer and Putnam. f

A gun-lock invented by Uri Ilanks of Mansfield was accepted, and
an order for fifty was given, to be quickly made.t

News of the battle of Breeds and Bunker Llill reached the Governor

* Frank Moore's Diary of American Revolution, p. 36. Holt's Journal, rennsyjvania Journal,
and Virginia Gazette.

f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 84. J Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 87.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 30I

on the evening of June i8th, who, with his war committee, ordered tents
and clothing already purchased to be forwarded immediately, and that
the poor tent-makers from Boston be employed to make enough for
General Putnam's regiment. The powder also sent from New York and
lodged at Stamford was ordered to be dispatched to Boston.*

The Battle of Breeds Hill and of Bunker Hill was largely sustained
by the Connecticut forces stationed on Prospect Hill under Generals Put-
nam and Spencer. They had been warned by sentries stationed on
Winter Hill of the advance of the British. General Putnam without a
moment's delay set out to reinforce the colonial forces on Bunker Hill,
who fought with fierce courage until their ammunition gave out. So
terrible was this battle that General Howe remarked: " I never saw or
heard of such a carnage in so short a time." f

Meanwhile the Province of New York had requested Governor Trum-
bull to send a sufficient force to hold Crown Point and Ticonderoga until
they could raise forces for that purpose.

A London writer remarked : " Though the American soldiery may
not be so well disciplined as the King's troops, yet it must be considered
there is a very considerable difference between a man who is fighting
for his natural liberty & the man who fights because he is paid. The
former defends himself in a just cause, the latter is the mere dupe of
power. The former is animated by the zeal of his attachment to the
public weal, the latter has no attachments at all, except to his pay for
slaughter & blood-shed. "t

The battle of Bunker Hill served to convince General Gage and his
officers that while the colonial forces were without the discipline or equip-
ment of a long standing army, they were as brave as young eagles de-
fending their homes, their country and their liberty.

*Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 87.

f When the British landed on the morning of June 17th, they saw the New England flag
floating over their entrenchments raised during the night, which consisted of a white field with a
green pine-tree in the centre, denoting the sturdy character of the New England people. When
General Putnam marched from Prospect Hill to meet the advancing columns of the British he
raised the crimson flag of the Connecticut Fourth Regiment. " Shortly before this he had been
presented with a crimson flag bearing the motto on one side : ' An Appeal to Heaven,' and on
the reverse side : ' Qui Transtulit Sustinet' {He who transplanted will sustain us)." This ban-
ner was used by the Connecticut forces after the Battle of Lexington when driving the British out
of Boston. " In Trumbull's celebrated picture of the Battle of Bunker Hill, it appears that Put-
nam had placed upon the old red flag, in place of the British Union, the first flag of the Massachu-
setts cruisers, a white field with a pine tree in the centre." — Our Flag, by A. N. Whitmarsh, M. A.

X Moore's Diary of the American Revolution,

302 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i775

Governor Trumbull and his committee of war remained at Lebanon
awaiting further news from Boston. On June 20th they ordered
*' General W'ooster to send two of his companies to New London, and
march with his remaining seven companies & all of Col. Waterbury's
regiment to within live miles of New York (they expecting the arrival
of British troops) & be under the direction of the General & Provincial
Congress.''

General Washington and General Lee set out on June 23d from Phila-
delphia to take command of the American army at Massachusetts Bay.
" They were accompanied into New York by nine companies of foot &
a great number of gentlemen." All along their journey they were met
with acclamations of hearty welcome by the people. They were enter-
tained at the hospitable mansion of the Hon. Thaddeus Burr vi'hile pass-
ing through Fairfield. The Rev. Dr. Ripley of Green's Farms joined
Washington and escorted him as far as Stratford.

The next day, June 24th, General Tryon arrived in New York from
Ivondon, and was warmly welcomed by the Tories of that city.

On the same day General Wooster, with his seven companies and
Colonel Waterbury's entire regiment, in all about eighteen hundred men,
reached their post near New York. In these companies were Captains
David Dimon and John Sherwood, Lieutenant Samuel Seeley, besides
some of the troops raised in Stratfield, Greenfield, Norfield, Green's
Farms and Reading. From every parish of Fairfield, men and boys of
over fourteen, eagerly filled the ranks of each company under commis-
sioned and non-commissioned ofificers. Coast guards along Long Island
Sound from the Pequonnock River to the western limits of the Sauga-
tuck ])accd their nightly round of duty, watching for the enemy, forag-
ing for live stock, provision or grain. Yet while thus guarding their
coast, the eyes of all Fairfield were turned towards Boston in the terrible
ordeal which their relatives and friends in that city had and were still
passing through, and receiving in heartfelt delight those who had escaped
to them for refuge. Grain of all kinds was prepared by the mills on Mill
River, the Saugatuck and yXspetuck for the use of the army. The Pen-
field Mills not only ground grain, but leaked large supplies of bread,
which was forwarded to our troops, as well as to the other troops and
the inhabitants of Boston. The blacksmiths repaired gun-locks, and
with the jewelers and private families moulded shot and balls, of which
there was a great scarcity. The sj)irit of independence pervaded the

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 303

life of the patriotic women of Fairfield, for around the besieged city of
Boston many of their sons were fighting the enemy of their peace with
unrelenting bravery. The spirit of devotion to the cause in which their
husbands and sons had engaged had kindled each true woman's heart
with a lofty purpose to render every possible assistance to further the
cause of independence. Early and late their carding and spinning-wheel
furnished long hanks of dyed blue, red and gray yarn, linen, homespun
cloth, blankets, tow-cloth, nankeen, knitted stockings and mittens for
their soldier lads. From Black Rock harbor, Stratfield, Mill River and
Saugatuck issued privateers and boats to seize the enemy's vessels on
the Sound, and to capture their foraging boatmen. Tory sympathizers
with the British were closely watched, and threats of no mild character
used towards them. So great had been the drain of troops from the town
for Boston and New^ York that there was left but a poor defence in case
of attack.

On the 1st of July the General Assembly met at Hartford. Two more
regiments, consisting of fourteen hundred men of ten companies each,
exclusive of commissioned of^cers, were ordered to be enlisted and
equipped for the defence of the colony.*

Dr. Francis Forgue of Fairfield was commissioned surgeon of the
new Seventh Regiment, and Ebenezer Beardslee and Isaac Swift sur-
geon's-mates : f

It was resolved that '' two vessels should be fitted out & armed w^ith
a proper number of cannon, swivel-guns & small arms, & furnished with
necessary warlike stores, well officered and manned, for the defence of
the sea-coast. "t

On the 6th of July the Continental Congress issued an able manifesto,
giving reasons for taking up arms. A line of posts for the furtherance
of communications and intelligence w^as given to the superintendence
of Benjamin Franklin, which line of mile-stones are still to be seen on
the old post road through Fairfield. The danger of sending provisions
and ammunition by water made this provision necessary. §

The Congress also decided to make an attack upon Canada. They
were aware that large stores of ammunition had been collected at Quebec,
of vv^hich the colonies were in great need, and it was hoped the Canadians

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 93. 'f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 94.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 99.

§ Quackenbos, Hist. U. S. A., p. 215. Appendix — Post Roads.

304 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i775

would join the colonies in resisting British aggression. An army was,
therefore, ordered to be prepared and placed under the command of
General Montgomery. None of the troops to be raised were to be dis-
tinguished as the troops of any one particular colony, but as the forces
of " The United Colonies of North America," to be paid and supported
accordingly. Georgia, which had not at first joined the union of the
other colonies, decided on the 15th of July to do so, and sent five dele-
gates to Congress, one of whom was Lyman Hall, who had removed
from Stratfield in 1752 to South Carolina, and afterwards to the parish
of St. Johns, belonging to the colony of Georgia. Thus were all the
colonies united in one common cause.

Forty half barrels of powder were ordered by the direction of Con-
gress to be forwarded out of the stores of New Haven and Fairfield.
Governor Trumbull and his war council also readily responded to the
demands of Congress, and ordered fifteen thousand pounds in bills of
credit to be loaned and delivered to Walter Livingston at the request of
General Schuyler.* Fifty thousand more bills of credit were ordered to
be printed, dated July, 1775, and payable December, 1779, to redeem
which a tax of seven pence on the pound was levied on all polls and tax-
able estates in the colony, f

Provisions were for a short time allowed to be purchased in the
counties of Litchfield and Fairfield and sent to General Schuyler, but the
drain became so great that an embargo was laid soon after upon grain
and provisions for the relief of the towns. Every available piece of lead
was secured for making bullets and shot. By order of General Wash-
ington, Governor Trumbull was requested to furnish all the tow-cloth to
be had, " to make shirts or short coats for a uniform dress for the army,
&c., & to send a sample made up with a cape, ruffles, &c." Accordingly,
" the commissaries in the colony received orders to purchase all the
tow-cloth they can procure." X

While Fairfield was liberally furnishing her share of provisions, stores
and clothing, and forwarding them for the troops gathered around Bos-
ton, and to Albany for the invasion of Canada, an event of a far happier
character had been arranged to take place at the home of the Hon.
Thaddeus Burr. Miss Dorothy Quincy, a daughter of Edmund Ouincy,
Esq., of Boston, during the siege of that city, had been sent to the pro-

* Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. XV, pp. loo, loi. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. loi.

X Col. Rfc. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 115.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 30S

tection of Mr. Burr. The Hon. John Hancock, aUhough president of
the Continental Congress, found time to turn from his duties and to
repair to Mr. Burr's mansion to claim his promised bride. In the even-
ing of the 24th of August Mr. Hancock and Miss Dorothy Quincy, in
the presence of a large assembly of their friends and relatives, were mar-
ried by the Rev. Andrew Elliot.*

Connecticut having sent into the held more men and money than
her just proportion to the other colonies, made a demand in September
on the Continental Congress for the sums of fifteen thousand pounds
lawful money, and fifty thousand in bills of credit loaned to General
Schuyler by order of Congress. They sent agents to Philadelphia to
collect it, which money was paid into the treasury at Hartford in October
and November in Continental money. t

Meanwhile General Washington, from the time of his arrival in Bos-
ton, had found a large body of patriotic but undisciplined troops, which
he set about drilling and equipping for active service. He found that
willing hearts made obedient soldiers, and in a short time his heart w^as
cheered by a well-disciplined army. On September 14th he sent a
peremptory order that all the remainder of the last raised troops in
Connecticut be forthwith sent to his camp near Boston. Although Gov-
ernor Trumbull and his council thought it imprudent to draw off so
many men at this time, who were engaged in throwing up works and
defences on the Sound coast, the troops were given orders to march
without delay to General Washington's camp. Fifty other men were
enlisted and equipped to take their places and to continue fortifying the
coast against the attacks of the enemy, who were hovering about and
had given much trouble by " furiously bombarding vStonington." t

The General Assembly met at Hartford on the nth of October.
They proceeded to lay an embargo on the exportation of grain, vege-
tables, live stock, etc., sent out of the colony until June, except by order
of the Governor for necessary purposes.

Having been favored by three thousand stands of arms manufactured
in the colony, further orders were issued for all that could be manu-
factured. §

One hundred and fifty pounds in Continental money was ordered to
be sent to the infirm and sick soldiers at Fort Ticonderoga and vicinity.

* Fairfield Christ Church Parish Records. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 125.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 128. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 137.

306 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1775

Provision was also made for the support of prisoners of war sent into
Connecticut.

Judge Ebenezer Silliman died October 11, 1775, in the sixty-eighth
year of his age. His handsome tombstone in Burial Hill Cemetery men-
tions his upright Christian character, and his distinguished career as
an Assistant and Senator of the General Assembly for many years, Judge
of the Superior Court, a member of the Council of War, and of other
high of^ces of trust in the colony of Connecticut.

Jonathan Sturges was appointed to succeed Judge Ebenezer Silliman,
deceased, in the Probate OfBce at Fairfield.*

Captains Stephen Thorp, Increase Bradly and Peter Whitney, owners
of sloops at Fairfield, were given liberty to sail to Massachusetts with
their sloops loaded with rye. Indian corn and rye fiour, to be delivered
at Falmouth, Machias or Sheepscut, provided they each gave a bond
of £500 for the faithful discharge of their cargoes.f

Constant demands were made through the Assembly upon the towns
in Connecticut from Massachusetts and New York for money, army
.su])plies, care of prisoners and every possible assistance they could ren-
der. Many of the governors of the other provinces had either aban-
doned their posts or favored and cooperated with the enemy, and in a
measure changed their form of government, but Connecticut and Rhode
Island retained their old chartered mode of government. At a later
date the other colonies retained their chartered form of polity modified,
and " rendered necessary for the transition from a state of partial to one
of total independence." To call on Jonathan Trumbull for advice, money
or supplies from Connecticut for all emergencies became constant, so
that the oft-repeated saying of Washington, " We will see what Brother
Jonathan will do," fixed upon the Ciovernor the soubriciuet of '' Brother
Jonathan."

The expedition against Canada was set on foot in August. " Generals
.Schuyler & Montgomery with a small body of troops made their way
to Montreal by way of Lake Champlain. About a thousand men under
Colonel Arnold from the camp at Boston ascended the Kennebec river,
and after enduring great hardships and privations through a trackless
wilderness, they at last reached the shores of the St. Lawrence, opposite
Quebec. St. John's had been besieged and captured November 3d by

*(:<)!. Kec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 147. See Hist. Fairfield Vol. I, p. 407.
f Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 170.

1775] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 307

Montgomery's forces, General Schuyler having been taken ill. Montreal
surrendered to Montgomery without resistance. The two armies met
December 31st, and resolved to attack Quebec as soon as possible. In
about three weeks, during a blinding snow-storm, they seized upon the
lower town and attempted to carry the heights by assault, but were driven
back by the British cannon. Montgomery, who bravely led a division,
was killed while attempting to scale the heights. Arnold had a leg
broken, and with about six hundred men retreated a few miles up the
river, where he kept up a blockade of Quebec during the winter. Colonel
Aaron Burr, then but nineteen years of age, was one of the heroes of
this expedition, and gained the admiration of every one by his courage
and power of endurance.* Among the other sons of Fairfield was Colonel
David Dimon and his young son Ebenezer Dimon.f

The time of many of the men who had enlisted had expired, and
although urged to remain in the army some insisted upon returning home.
Thus the country was obliged to call for raw recruits to fill the ranks
of w^ell-disciplined troops.

The General Assembly met at New Haven, December 14th, and
proceeded to raise " a body of Minute Men for the defence of this Sz
the rest of the United Colonies. "t

A bounty of ten pounds was offered for every hundred pounds of
saltpetre or nitre manufactured in the colony before January, 1777.
Every town was ordered to set up and carry on the manufacture of nitre
or saltpetre, and the selectmen of each town were commanded to see
that such w^orks were erected and the manufactories sustained. A pre-
mium of thirty pounds was ofifered to the first and second person who
should erect the first powder-mills in the colony and manufacture five
hundred pounds of powder. These powder mills were only allowed to
be erected by an order of the General Assembly. §

A stringent law was passed against persons found to be rendering
assistance of any kind to the enemy, " either by furnishing navy or army
stores, enlisting in the service of the British, giving information to them
or piloting their vessels," under a penalty of forfeiting their estates, and

* The adventures and hardships of this expedition are {graphically described in Parton's Life
of Aaron Burr. Special mention is made of Colonel Burr at this time. In an interview a few years
after with a Mrs. Benson of Fairfield, Colonel Burr related to her the fact that he was born in
Fairfield while his mother was visiting Mr. Isaac Burr, a near relative, during the summer.

+ Appendix — Dimon, Genealogical. i^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 187.

§ Col. Rec. Conn., V'ol. 15, p. igo.

308 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

by imprisonment in any of the jails in tlie colony for three years. Any
overt act, speaking or writing of a libelous character against the Honor-
able Congress of the United Colonies, was punished by disarming such
persons, rendering them incapable of holding civil or military offices,
and further punished by fine, imprisonment or disfranchisement, as well
as to pay the cost of being tried before the General Assembly. The
selectmen and committee of inspection in each town were required to
carry out these acts, and after seizing upon the estates of such offenders
to improve them, and render the rents and profits to the colony treasury.
Deserters from the army were ordered to be seized, imprisoned or re-
turned to their companies. For harboring deserters a fine was imposed
of fifteen pounds. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers who faith-
fully discharged their duty for the year 1775 and 1776 were released from
paying poll taxes.*

During the fall General Gage had ordered British men-of-war to
harass and ravage the coast towns of New England. He was soon after
superseded by Sir William Howe, who took command of the forces in
and around Boston. Governor Tryon used every possible persuasion,
threat and bribe to induce the Province of New York to remain loyal
to the King, but the Continental Congress immediately passed laws
making it a punishable crime to render any assistance to the British.

To meet this emergency Governor Trumbull and his Council of War
and Safety ordered vessels and four row-galleys to be purchased or
built, manned and equipped for the coast defences. It was agreed that
all the principal towns from Groton to Milford should be supplied with
cannon and military stores; but as yet Fairfield was overlooked. Coast-
guards were, however, daily and nightly appointed in Fairfield to watch
the approach of vessels or boats. Green's Farms, Greenfield, Norfield,
Redding, Stratfield and Fairfield all furnished men from their companies
for this duty. Vessels and boats were manned and armed for any attack
which might be made.

Ephraim Middlebrook was ai)pointed lieutenant and David Nichols
ensign of the tenth company in the Fourth Regiment, t

The estates of Fairfield this year were valued at £51.472.

1776. On the 27th of January the Governor and Council of War. by
order of Congress, raised a battalion to reinforce the northern army. Caj)-
tain Samuel Squire, commissary of Fairfield, applied to the Council for

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 192. f <-"ol- •^'^c- Conn., \ol. 15, p. 206.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 309

directions and orders for money necessary to make provisions for the
march and support of the men raised to aid General Lee in his expedition
to New York, and was granted five hundred pounds to make provision
for that purpose.*

Cannon and cannon ball having been cast by Mr, Richard Smith of
Salisbury, the Governor and Council ordered that every necessary mate-
rial for promoting their manufacture should be provided.

On February i6th letters from Colonel Gold Sellick Silliman and
Mr. Thaddeus Burr were read before the Council, setting forth " the
exposed situation & necessary defence of the Fairfield harbor at Black-
rock, the second best in the colony; & requesting cannon-ball, etc.; & at
least twenty-five men to be raised, & sundry things."

" It is voted, allowed & ordered that twenty-five able-bodied men be raised by volun-
teer enlistment at the discretion of the authorities & selectmen of said town, under the
command of a lieutenant & two sergeants, be improved in erecting works of defence at
such place & manner in said town as the said authorities, &c., shall direct, for watching,
&c., as shall be necessary, to continue until the first day of November next, unless sooner
released by the General Assembly of this board ; to have the same pay & wages as the
army near Boston, & to be allowed 8d. per day for their provision & support during said
term." This fortification was called Fort Black Rock, and was situated on Graver's Hill,
which commanded from a high point of rocks and land at the mouth of Black Rock
harbor a magnificent view of Long Island Sound. f

By letter, General Washington was requested to replace the four
tons of powder loaned from Connecticut, one ton of which was to be
sent to Fairfield.

On the 24th of February the Governor and Council appointed Eben-
ezer Bartram of Fairfield to be first lieutenant, under Captain Harding
of New Haven, of the brig " Defence. "t

Throughout the country every eye was still turned towards Boston
in daily expectation of an engagement. General Washington, while
using every energy and means to be prepared for an attack, and strongly
urged by Congress to do so, wisely refrained from offering battle for
want of ammunition and other necessities. On the 4th of March, how-
ever, he dispatched General Thomas by night to throw up intrenchments
on Dorchester Heights, which commanded the city and harbor. Though
the ground was frozen the soldiers made rapid progress in their work,
and on the following morning Sir William Howe saw to his astonish-

* C'ol. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 232. f Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 241.

J Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, pp. 242, 245.

3IO HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

ment the work which the American soldiers had accompHshed in a single
night. He resolved to dislodge them without delay, but a severe snow-
storm set in, lasting for two days, giving the ardent w-orkers time to
strengthen their fortifications. Believing it to be impossible to hold
the city, on the 17th of March Lord Howe evacuated Boston, carrying
with him his entire land and naval force, with about fifteen hundred loy-
alists. Great w^as the rejoicing of the Bostonians and of the defenders
of American liberty throughout the country. Congress passed a vote
of thanks to General Washington and his army, and ordered a gold
medal to be struck off in commemoration of this joyous and gratifying
event.

Strong fears -were entertained that Lord Howe would sail with his
fleet for New York, but he sailed for Halifax to await the arrival of
reinforcements.

Meanwhile Governor Trumbull and his Council of War and Safety,
fearing an attack upon New York, which might " in its consequences
determine the fate of America," decided to give immediate orders to
the commanding olificers of seven Connecticut regiments to assemble
360 men from each of the Fourth and Ninth Regiments, and 180 from
the Sixteenth, to be formed into one regiment consisting of ten com-
panies of ninety men each, including officers, to be placed under the
command of Colonel Gold Sellick Sillim'an, Lieutenant John Mead and
Major John Chandler, and such other officers as the field officers of the
several regiments from wiiich they were to be drafted should appoint.
Another battalion, under the command of Colonel Mathew Talcott, from
four other regiments was ordered out, consisting of ten companies of
ninety men each, with their respective commanders and officers. Both
regiments were ordered to proceed without delay by land or by water
to New York, and be placed under the commander-in-chief there, and
then under General Washington, when he should arrive w^ith his forces.
Captain Samuel Squire of Fairfield with Jonathan Fitch were appointed
to make proper provisions for their march and subsistence, either b)^
land or by water.*

John Mills was appointed lieutenant of the troops employed for the
defence of the fortifications at Fairfield. Samuel Smedley was appointed
lieutenant of marines on board the brig " Defence."!

The Governor and Council of War set on foot every possible effort
to secure cannon, ammunition, duck and cordage for rigging the new

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, pp. 249-251. f Col. Rec. Conn., XV, p. 254.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 31I

vessels of war. Every regiment was made ready for any emergency, to
march on the shortest notice for the rehef of the colony or any of the
neigboring provinces.

Captain Ebenezer Bartram was given orders to receive and to de-
liver to Captain Seth Harding of the brig " Defence " eight swivel guns,
fifteen hundred pounds of powder and four hundred swivel shot, with
one hundred of the six-pound shot belonging to the colony.

The commission of Ebenezer Bartram as lieutenant bears date
March 3, 1776. Samuel Smedley as second lieutenant, March 10, 1776,
and Joseph Squire as lieutenant of marines for the ship '' Defence," was
ordered dated April 10, 1776. Orders were given for the "Defence"
to proceed to Stamford to enlist men, to take in shot at New Haven and
to sail with all convenient speed for New London, and there to enlist as
many men as were needed to fill the number to one hundred and fifty.*
Thaddeus Burr, Esq., and Major David Dimon were two of a committee
of four to be " furnished with five hundred pounds of powder to send
out an armed vessel against the enemy.f

Each of the row-galleys were provided with twenty lances and poles
and twenty tomahawks or hatchets, t

Intelligence was brought to Governor Trumbull " of the arrival in
America of seventeen hundred Hessians, Waldecks & Hanoverians from
Germany, hired out to England for the purpose of pulling down the re-
bellion in America." This proceeding served only to further exasperate
the colonies. The Governor and his Council no longer hesitated to en-
tertain hope of an entire separation from Great Britain. Further orders
were issued for enlisting and equipping men as speedily as possible, to
be placed under orders from General Washington.

General Washington arrived in New York April 4th, and finding it
impossible to maintain an efficient army on short terms of service which
were constantly expiring, induced Congress to allow him to enlist officers
and men for three years, giving a bounty of ten dollars to each recruit.
The fortifications along the coasts of New York supervised by General
Lee, largely assisted by the Connecticut forces, in which Fairfield bore
its proportion, had been completed. Defensive works were also erected
on Long Island opposite New York. The American forces in New
York now numbered about twenty-seven thousand men.

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 259. t Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 262.

t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 15, p. 263.

312 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [l77^

The first act of General Howe, according to his instructions, was to
issue a proclamation offering pardon to all who would return to their
allegiance to the King. Upon this proclamation being presented to
General Washington, he replied that " He had heard that General Howe
was empowered to grant pardons; but, as those who were guilty of no
fault needed no pardon, he did not see the necessity of any communica-
tion."

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 9th. Mr. Samuel Squire
and Mr. Thaddeus Burr represented Fairfield. Jonathan Sturges was
appointed Judge of the Probate Court of Fairfield.

All the troops of horse belonging to the several regiments were or-
dered to be formed into five distinct regiments of light ho.-se. A body
of minute-men was ordered to be raised and equipped for the defence
of the colony.*

Benjamin Hinman was appointed colonel. Philip Burr Bradley lieu-
tenant-colonel and David Dimon major " of one of the regiments about
to l)e raised." t

Orders were given to print sixty thousand pounds in bills of credit
on the colony, dated June, 1776, without interest made payable on or
before January i, 1781, to redeem which a tax of Sd. on the pound was
levied on all polls and ratable estates, according to the list of 1778. to
i)e paid into the colony treasury December, i78o.:t

Si)ecial forms of commissions for " The Governor & Company of the
English Colony of Connecticut in New England in America " were pre-
sented and established for future use. §

By an order of John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress,
it was resolved by the Assembly that the selectmen of each town in the
colony, on or before the Tst of September, should render to Governor
Trumbull an exact account of all persons, whites, colored and slaves.
and to distinguish the number of those under the age of twenty and
above that age, whether married or single, those in the militia, all able-
bodied men not belonging to the militia and all 'men in actual service, i

In order to support the credit of Connecticut, the Assembly also re-
solved, " That the treasurer of this Colony may 8z is hereby directed to
receive the pai)er-bills of the Continental currency, when offered in pay-

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 284. + Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 300.

I Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. is. p. 306. S Col. Rec. Conn.. Vol. 15, p. 307.

5 Col. Rec. (^)nn., Vol. 15, p. 313.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 313

ment of Colony taxes, or any debt payable to the treasurer of the Colony,
until otherwise instructed by this Assembly."*

Captain Samuel Squire was appointed one of a committee to purchase
five thousand pair of' yarn stockings, to be sent to the Governor of New
York for the use of the army in Canada. f

In addition to the premium of one shilling and sixpence for gun-
locks, a further premium of two shillings and sixpence was offered " for
each double bridled, good, & well made gun-lock manufactured in the
Colony between June & the 20th of October."

The Governor was given power during the session of the Assembly,
" to fill up blank commissions for privateers of War, & Letters of Marque
& Reprisal, agreeable to the resolutions of the Continental Congress. " +

Mr. Thaddeus Burr was appointed one of a committee to procure
eighteen hundred pounds of lawful money in specie in exchange for bills
to be used in the northern army by request of Congress; the repayment
of which was to be in continental money. Mr. Burr was also appointed
to collect postage money from all the postmasters from Hartford to
Greenwich on the road to New York, between June 15th and November
15th, 1775, and render an account of the same to the treasurer of the
CoIony.§

Eliphalet Thorp was made captain. Samuel Penfield lieutenant, and
Daniel Dimon ensign of the fourth company in the Fourth Regiment.
Beach Tomlinson was made captain, Ephraim Curtiss lieutenant, and
John Judson ensign of the seventh company in the Fourth Regiment. ||

Phineas Beardsley was commissioned captain, Peter Penfield lieu-
tenant and Gideon Beardsley ensign of the sixth company in the Six-
teenth Regiment.

Liberty was given Robert Fairchild and his associates to erect a
powder mill at Stratford. T

The Assembly, fully alive to the perils of the colonists, now " being threatened with
the whole force of Great Britain, united with all such foreign mercenaries as they are
able to engage — to burn & destroy our seaport towns, & to spread rapine & destruction
through the whole country — earnestly recommend that all persons of every rank & de-
nomination furnish themselves, with all possible expedition, with good & sufficient fire-
arms, & other war-like accoutrements, & with bullets to fit their guns; that all able-
bodied men, not of the standing militia, & those who had been dismissed from common

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, 313. t <^ol. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, 317.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, 318. § Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 327.

I Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 341, 343. 1 Col. ,Rec. Conn., XV, 350.

314 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD '[1776

military exercises, form themselves into companies, choose their officers & equip them-
selves, so as to be in readiness for mutual defence against the enemy ; that all field-officers
place themselves in readiness to lead their respective corps on the most sudden call, in
the meantime using their utmost endeavors with the assistance of the commissioned offi-
cers in their respective regiments to encourage military skill & every warlike preparation,
& to see that all defective arms be immediately repaired." The committee appointed to
procure firearms made in the colony were ordered " to purchase all good arms to be
obtained."

The Assembly adopted the following most earnest resolutions to be printed and read
in every Society in the Colony : " That as the events of this year may prove most decisive
to these colonies, & that all human care, efforts & exertions are but fruitless attempts for
our security & defence, & will prove vain & abortive unless attended with the blessing of
Heaven, which we have no reason to expect but on a sincere repentance & reformation :
Wherefore in this day of darkness & threatening calamity it is most earnestly recom-
mended to & pressed upon all persons of every rank & denomination in this Colony to
promote & cultivate charity & benevolence one towards another, to abstain from every
species of extortion & oppression, sincerely to repent & break off from every sin, folly &
vice, to live together in peace, love & harmony among themselves, to look up with earnest
importunity to Heaven for help, success, salvation & deliverance, & with careful attention
to the use of means, hope & trust in the Lord of Hosts, who presides over universal
nature, guides & governs all, & we not fear or be dismayed at all the attempts or numerous
hosts with which we are threatened."*

This appeal to the citizens of the colony was ordered to be printed,
read and published in all religious societies in the colony.

These instructions were made to appear most necessary at Fairfield
at this time. " About the 8th of May it was discovered that one Cable
had sent a vessel load of provisions to the ministerial plunderers, & was
loading a second time for the same purpose; but was discovered by a
Tory concerned in the affair, who made oath before one of the Fairfield
town magistrates of the scheme in agitation. Cable had been observed to
be sounding in deep waters about the channel of Black Rock, through
which place he was to pilot a gang of miscreants, chiefly from Newtown,
Connecticut, & Dobbs Ferry on the North River, whose orders were to
massacre men, women & children. The signal for their time of landing
was to be three cannon fired in the night." Cable was arrested without
delay and confined in Fairfield jail.f

At a meeting of the Governor and Council of War and Safety. June
6th, at Hartford, it was decided to furnish and man three new row-
galleys with fifty men, each to consist of one captain, two lieutenants,
one master, one gunner and mate, one steward, two sergeants of ma-
rines, two corporals of marines, one boatswain, one drummer, one fifer,

* Col, Rec. Conn., XV, 398. f Moore's Diary of the American Revolution, p. 240.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 315

one cook, one carpenter's mate, one surgeon or mate, besides able sea-
men and marines.*

The General Assembly met at Hartford, June 14th. An embargo was
immediately placed on all grains, beef, pork, live cattle, butter, cheese,
flour and every kind of meal, either by land or w^ater, without consent
of the Governor, except necessary stores for vessels bound to sea.

After making a summary of the grievances of the colony, and a solemn
protest against the impositions of the King and Parliament, it was :

"Resolved unanimously by this Assembly, That the Delegates of this Colony in
General Congress be & they are hereby instructed to propose to that respectable body to
declare the United American Colonies Free & Independent States, absolved from all
allegiance to the King of Great Britain, & to give the assent of this Colony to such declara-
tion when they shall judge it expedient & best, & to whatever measures may be thought
proper & necessary by the Congress for forming foreign alliances, or any plan of opera-
tion for necessary & mutual defence. And also, that they move & promote, as fast as may
be convenient, a regular & permanent Plan of Union & Confederation of the Colonies
for the security & preservation of their just rights & liberties & for mutual defence &
security : saving that the administration of government & the power of forming govern-
ments for & the regulation of the internal concerns & police of each Colony, ought to be
left & remain to the respective Colonial Legislatures ; & also, that such plan of con-
federation be laid before such respective legislatures for their previous consideration &
assent." f

The delegates of the Continental Congress were instructed by both
houses of the Assembly, June 15th, to move said Congress to declare
the United Colonies Independent States, and to prepare Articles of Con-
federation and Union, and to give the assent of this colony to such
declarations.:}:

It now became necessary to adopt a National Standard; and for this
purpose Benjamin Franklin and Messrs. Harrison and Lynch were
chosen by the Colonial Congress as a committee to create a National
Flag. Not yet having attained to the freedom of States, they held that
they were still under the sovereignty of England. They, therefore,
thought it expedient for a time to adopt the King's colors as a union,
which consisted of a union of the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew
on a blue field, extending from which were thirteen alternate stripes of
red and white, representing the thirteen united colonies. This flag was
first raised January 2, 1776, by General Washington at his headquarters
at Cambridge, Mass., and received a salute of thirteen guns and thirteen

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 408. t Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 415.

tCoI. Rec. Conn., XV, 416.

3l6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

cheers. It was called The Flag of the Union or The Cambridge Flag.
In New England the Pine Tree was usually shown in the inner square of
the British Union, quartered by a red cross on a blue or white field. The
first fiag of the floating batteries was a white field with a pine tree in
the centre. The first vessel over w-hich the Union flag floated was the
frigate " Alfred," whose gallant commander was the famous Paul Jones.
He also used the yellow flag of the south, displaying the coiled rattle-
snake, with the motto, " Don't tread on me." His unparalleled exploits
and success under this flag won for it the distinction of the " Paul Jones'
Flag."*

In the latter part of the winter of 1775 an attack had been made upon
Norfolk, Virginia, by Lord Dunmore, but he was defeated by the pro-
vincials. Soon after, having been reinforced by the arrival of a British
vessel, he laid that town in ashes. This so exasperated the Virginians
that they resolved to free themselves from the British yoke. On the 7th
of June Richard Henry Lee of Virginia was the first to recommend Con-
gress to move : " That these L^nited Colonies are, & of right ought to be
free and independent states," and to sever their allegiance to the crown.
From other quarters like requests were made; in fact, the spirit of liberty
generally prevailed throughout the country. Some opposed this step.
The members of Congress from New York and Pennsylvania had been
instructed not to favor the separation. John Adams and Roger Sherman,
with the other members from New England, however, gave it their hearty
support, but while New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and South Caro-
lina hesitated, they were carried along with the overwhelming tide of
the spirit of independence. The opposing colonies withdrew their oppo-
sition, and after a few amendments were made, at two o'clock on the
4th of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence, drawn up by Thomas
Jefferson of Virginia, and submitted to John Adams of Massachusetts,
Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania. Roger Sherman of Connecticut and
Robert R. Livingston of New York, was adopted, and signed by the
other members of the thirteen States, by which glorious act the United
States of America became one of the independent nations of the world.

This Declaration of Independence was a dignified rehearsal of the
oppression of the American colonists by the King of Great Britain, who
they declared " no longer worthy to be king of a free people." It sets
forth the rights of a free people and ended with the solemn assertion :

* Our Fl.-ig, by A. N. Wliitmarsh, M. A.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 317

" We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in
general congress assembled, appeal to the Supreme Judge of tlie world
for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name & by the authorities
of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish & declare, that
these United Colonies are & of a right ought to be. Free & Inde-
pendent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British
Crown, & that all political connection between them & the State of Great
Britain is, & ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free & Inde-
pendent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, con-
tract alliances, establish commerce, & do all other acts & things which
Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this
declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Provi-
dence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our
sacred honor."

Those who signed this Declaration of Independence from Connecti-
cut were Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington and OHver Wolcott.

Great was the rejoicing of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty when
the news of this event was circulated throughout the country. But they
had yet to carry out these declarations and to conquer a tenacious foe.

The Church of England in the Virginia Convention adopted a reso-
lution to change the prayers of the Prayer Book, to omit all prayers for
the King and royal family. The King's arms were burned; offensive
parties burned in eflfigy and every effort made by the people to prove
the independence of the country. In Connecticut, those loyal to the De-
claration of Independence refused to read the prayers for the King and
royal family.*

Meanwhile the Assembly of Connecticut had received orders for two
battalions to join the Continental army in the northern department.
Every able-bodied volunteer who could clothe and supply himself with
arms, etc., was offered a bounty of seven pounds two shillings. t

Seven battalions, inclusive of those raised in May, by requisition of
the Continental Congress, were also ordered by the Assembly to be
raised and equipped to join the army in New York, to be held in service
until the last of December. A bounty of four pounds two shillings was

* It has been said that the Rev. Mr. Beach of Reading, Conn., refused to comply with this
demand, in consequence of which a continental officer stood at the church door with gun aimed at
the S. P. G. missionary, threatening to fire at him if he read the prayer for the king. Mr. Beach
prayed for the king and royal family. The officer was so overawed with the courage of the man
that he speedily departed. t Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 416.

3l8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

offered to each volunteer who should clothe and equip himself with fire-
arms, etc. Minute-men who had enlisted, or others who should enlist
and hold themselves in readiness for any emergency, were offered a
bounty of forty-two shillings. A further premium of forty shillings w^as
granted to each man who should enlist in the continental regiment, voted
to be raised in the last session of the Assembly, and destined for Boston.
Every article for the comfort and sustenance of the troops was ordered
for their long marches.*

David Waterbury, Jr., of Stamford was appointed brigadier-general,
for the battalion to reinforce the army in Canada. James Wadsworth,
Jr., of Durham, was appointed brigadier-general of the battalion to be
sent to reinforce the army in New York, f

Gold Sellick Silliman of Fairfield was commissioned colonel of the
first battalion to be sent to the relief of New York.+

George Benjamin captain, Wakeman Burr first lieutenant, Josiah
Lacy second lieutenant, and Daniel Duncan ensign of the first company in
said battalion. Zalmon Reid captain, Ezekiel Sanford first lieutenant,
Ebenezer Banks, Jr., second lieutenant, and Joshua Adams ensign of the
second company; and William Gaylord Hubbell, captain, Peter Penfield
first lieutenant, and Benjamin Hecox ensign of the third company. §

Mr. Thaddeus Burr was appointed one of a committee to procure
firearms and gun-locks manufactured in the colony for the army, and
Samuel Squire military stores. The selectmen of every town were or-
dered to purchase lead weights and other implements of lead, bars and
old lead and shot. If any person refused to give up these articles the
civil authorities were ordered to impress them for the use of the army.
Committees were appointed to seek out and purchase sulphur ore and
lead mines in the colony.!

Fifty thousand more bills of credit w^ere ordered to be printed, w'ith-
out interest, dated June 19, 1776. made payable January, 1782. to re-
deem which a tax of seven pence on the pound was levied on all polls
and taxable estates in the colony of the 1779 list, to be paid into the
treasury December, 1781.!^

Gold Sellick Silliman was appointed colonel of the regiment of horse
called out in May.

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 417-421. f Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 422.

t Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 425. § Col. Rec. Conn,, XV, 425.

j Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 437, 438. 1 Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 440.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 319

This Assembly was the last held under the name of the Colony of
Connecticut.*

On the i8th of June a most earnest and eloquent proclamation was
issued by Governor Trumbull, calling upon the " Virtue & public spirit
of the good people of Connecticut to rise to superior exertions on this
great occasion, to show themselves ready to battle in behalf of their in-
jured & oppressed country; & come forth to the help of the Lord against
the Mighty, & convince the Tyrants of Britain that they are resolved to
be Free." He exhorted ** all to step forth to defend their religion &
their God, their homes, their wives, their children & their liberties, to
promote a design on which the salvation of America depends; to fear-
lessly put their trust in God to humble their proud Oppressors. * Our
Fathers trusted in him & were delivered ' : & while our armies are abroad
jeopardizing their lives in the high Places of the Field, let all who re-
main at Home cry mightily to God for the protection of his providence,
to shield & defend their lives from Death, & to crown them with Victory
& Success; to assemble frequently for social prayer to Almighty God,
that he would awaken them to true repentance for sin, bless our cause —
disappoint the cruel Devices of the Enemy — & preserve our precious
Rights & Liberties, strengthen our tranquility, & make us a people of
his Praise, & the blessed of the Lord, so long as the sun & moon shall
endure. "t

All the ministers in the colony were directed to read this proclama-
tion in their several churches, '* & to enforce its exhortations by their
own pious example & public instructions."

On the 2d of July the Governor, etc., ordered five hundred pounds
of gunpow^der for the use of the town of Fairfield, and delivered to Cap-
tain Eliphalet Thorp. t

A pressing letter, dated June 28th, was received at this time from
General Washington, informing Governor Trumbull he had received
intelligence " that a fleet of 130 sail left Halifax the 9th bound for New
York; that General Howe was already arrived at the Hook; & pressed
in the most earnest manner, that not one moment may be lost in sending
forward the militia of this colony, etc." President Hancock had also
written to the same effect, " in strong & pressing terms."§

Although the several battalions ordered by the last Assembly for the

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 443. f Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 450.

t Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 460. § Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 460.

320 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

relief of New York were not all fully equipped and prepared to march,
the Governor and Council decided, " that in this critical situation no
effort could be too great, & nothing should be unattempted which might
tend to strengthen & serve a cause on which all America depends." It
was resolved to send the three regiments of light-horse lately established
on the west side of the Connecticut River, to immediately set forward
to the relief of the army in New York, and that f 1,000 be advanced to
assist them in their march.

Lieutenant-colonel Thomas Seymour, chief officer of this regiment of
light-horse, in the absence of Colonel Silliman, was directed to transmit
necessary orders to the majors of the said regiments and their other
proper officers, to hasten the preparations to march, and to lead them
for the service in which they were sent.

Letters of marque were prepared July 3d and sent to Captain Kli-
phalet Thorp of Fairfield, part owner of the privateer " Broome."*

On application of Lieutenant John Mills, commander of the party
stationed at " Black Rock Fort at Fairfield," the sum of " £200 was granted
for billeting, premium on guns, blankets, etc., & first month's pay &
wages for his said party."t

Intelligence of the Declaration of Independence reached Governor
Trumbull, etc., through Colonel Joseph Trumbull and William Williams
July nth, the latter having been appointed to fill the place of Colonel
Oliver Wolcott in the Continental Congress vacated by illness. It was
decided to act upon and publish the Articles of Independence at the next
session of the General Assembly.:}:

Captain Harding having sailed with the brig " Defence " as ordereci,
set out without further orders to capture some of the enemy's ships,
reported off the Massachusetts coast. On the 19th of June he reported
by letter to Governor Trumbull that he had sailed on the previous Sunday
from Plymouth, and soon after heard a considerable firing to the north-
ward. In the evening he fell in with four armed schooners, near the
entrance of Boston harbor, from which he learned that they had been
engaged with a ship and brig, and had been obliged to retire. Upon
this information he had sailed for Nantasket Road, where he found the
British ship and brig at anchor. In his own words he related : " that he
immediately fell in between the two, & came to anchor at 11 o'clock at

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 462. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, 462.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. XV, 475, 476.

T7761 THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 32 1

night. I hailed the ship, which answered, from Great Britain. I ordered
her to strike her colours to America. They answered by asking IVhat
brig is that? I told them the ' Defence.' 1 then hailed him again, &
told him I did not want to kill his men, but would have the ship at all
events; & again ordered him to strike; upon which the major (since
dead) said, yes, III strike, & fired a broad-side upon me, which I imme-
diately returned, when an engagement began, which lasted three glasses,
when the ship & brig both struck. In this engagement, I had nine men
wounded, but none killed. The enemy had i8 killed & a number
wounded. My ofificers & men behaved with great bravery, none could
have outdone them. We took out of the above vessel 200 prisoners,
among whom is Col. Campbell of General Frazier's regiment of High-
landers. The major (JMenzies) was killed in the engagement. . . .
Yesterday a ship was seen in the Bay, which came towards the entrance
of Boston harbour, upon which I came to sail with four schooners in
company; we came off with them, & took them without an engagement:
there were on board, 112 Highlanders. ... As there are a num-
ber more of the same fleet expected every day, & the General has urged
me to stay, I will tarry a few days, & proceed for New London. My
brig is much damaged in her sails & rigging." Captain Harding's of-
fence for sailing without orders was excused and justified; the "De-
fence " ordered to be repaired and " cruise the Sound for the best interest
of the Colony."*

The famous Newgate prison at Simsbury was fast being filled with
Tory prisoners, and as it became necessary to give it a stronger guard,
the overseer was ordered " to place a guard of two faithful men nightly,
& more if necessary, to watch the prison & all avenues leading to it, to
prevent the escape of prisoners or access to them by unknown or sus-
picious persons."

Samuel Squire of Fairfield with four other commissaries were by the
Governor and Council appointed a committee, July 17th, to purchase all
suitable tow-cloth and other cloths for tents to be obtained in their
several counties; " & cause the same to be made up into proper tents
for the use of the troops of this colony in the most expeditious man-
ner they can, & report to his Honor of what they shall respectively do
in the premises."t

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 479, 488. f Col. Rec. Conn.. XV, 483.

CHAPTER XIV

(Part Skcond)

It was also voted " that a quantity of home-made cloth or other, if that can't be ob-
tained, as far as may be of a brown or cloth colour, sufficient for three thousand coats, &
the same number of waist-coats; & as many blankets as can be obtained in the Colony;
three thousand felt hats, cloth of check'd flannel, or some linen if that can't be obtained,
sufficient for six thousand shirts, & also six thousand pair of shoes, to be collected as
soon as may be, & deposited in proper stores in the several counties. And the above
named committee were appointed to procure the same. The proportion of this order to
l)e supplied by Fairfield County was ' 300 coats & waistcoats, 300 felt hats, 600 shirts, &
1,000 shoes.'"* The northern army at Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga being in great
need of clothing, it was decided to send a supply without further orders.

A stringent law was passed for the arrest of spies, whether they ap-
pear as gentlemen, expresses, travelers or common beggars, unless by
a certificate from Congress, Committee of Safety or some legal, public
or military officer; otherwise they were to be arrested, taken and tried
before the civil authorities of the town in which they were seized. It
was also ordered " that suitable watches be kept in all the larger towns
by night, to arrest such suspicious persons & prevent them from prac-
ticing mischief against this or the rest of the United American Colonies."t

The colony having purchased a sloop at New London on August 2d.
Captain Harding was ordered, witli his officers, sailors and marines, to
fit it up as an armed brigantine with the greatest dispatch, '* & to make
use of the masts, sails, rigging, guns & other implements »H: furniture of
the brigantine ' Defence.' '" +

August 9th, Lieutenant Mills was granted pay for two months' bil-
leting for the forces in service at Fairfield. The selectmen of Fairfield
were given liberty to purchase, at the expense of the town, two of the
colony cannon from the fiuMiace at Salisbtiry for the use of the fort at
Fairfield, viz., one twelve-pounder and one cightcen-pounder or two
twelve-pounders, and one ton of shot suitable for tlie cannon.^

The Fourth Regiment, with thirteen other regiments of militia, were
ordered immediately to march to New York, and there place themselves
under the command of General Washington. 1|

On August loth Captain Samuel Squire was ordered to supply the

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 483. + Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 486. 487.

X Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 49?. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 496.

II Col. Rec. ("onii., W, 49S.

1776] THE WAR OP^ THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 323

brig " Defence " with provisions, and also to furnish a supply for the
colony.

Captain Harding of the *' Defence " was given orders to cruise against
the enemy of the United States of America, as soon as fitted to sail, for
about the space of eight weeks, *' to secure prizes & bring them into some
port of the United States & there secure & condemn them.''*

Oliver Wolcott was commissioned, August 12th, Brigadier-General
of the militia of the State of Connecticut, and to march with his forces
to join General Washington in New York.

Lieutenant David Hawley, of ship " Oliver Cromwell," was appointed
captain August 16th, and " given £180 to raise a crew of seamen for the
naval service of the United States of America on the lakes to the north-
ward, "f

" A large Bermudian built sloop " having been purchased, was placed
under the command of Captain Walker of New Providence and fitted
for naval duty. It was called the new " Defence " and Captain Harding's
brig the old " Defence."

Meanwhile General Howe had made an attack on Charleston. South
Carolina, but the forts there having been strongly fortified, he was driven
off by heavy cannonading. He set sail for New York and landed his
troops on Long Island, where he had many Tory sympathizers. On the
8th of July he was reinforced by a body of 9,000 Hessians, who were
landed on Staten Island. A few days after his brother. Admiral Howe,
arrived with reinforcements, which, with General Clinton's detachment
and other arrivals, swelled the British ranks to about 24,000.

The American army, with all the energy Connecticut had put forth,
and with the united forces of the other colonies sent to the relief of
New York, did not amount to more than half the British army. General
Howe having thrown up fortifications on the west end of Long Island,
opposite New York, upon the arrival of reinforcements resolved to at-
tack the Continental army. On August 22d General Clinton crossed
from Staten Island with 10,000 men and forty cannon.

General Putnam had been sent to join the army of Generals Sullivan
and Sterling, stationed in and around Brooklyn. A battle was fought
on the morning of the 27th without advantage to either side; but al-
though the American army bravely met their assailants, they were not
prepared as yet to cope with the well-disciplined troops of the enemy.

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 499. t Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 503.

324 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

The British advanced upon them from an unguarded road in the rear,
and Lord Cornwalhs, coming up from the south end of Brooklyn, totally
defeated them, taking 1,100 prisoners. The prisoners were sent to the
loathsome prison-ships to die of disease, hunger and want.

The American prisoners were stripped almost naked of their cloth-
ing; robbed of their baggage, money and shoe-buckles, and those who
had fine clothes were stripped, and told, " such clothes were too good for
rebels." The prison-ships lacked water, food and comforts of every kind.
Many hundreds of Americans died in this way. The British loss during
this battle was estimated to be 367 in killed and wounded, while the
American loss was 1,650, besides those taken prisoners.

On the second night after this battle the American forces were se-
cretly withdrawn to New York. After leaving a garrison in the city,
Washington sent the main body of his forces to Harlem Heights. The
garrison found it impossible to hold their position, while the militia at
Harlem " becoming discouraged, deserted by companies." The con-
tinentals or regulars caught the infection, making a retreat an absolute
necessity.

With all these discouragements Washington retained an undaunted
spirit, and resolved to avoid a further encounter until his army should
be in a better disciplined condition, " to weary out the enemy by frequent
marches, & not meet them except in skirmishes."

Upon learning of these disasters, by request of Washington, on the
31st of August, Governor Trumbull and his Council of War and Safety
resolved to send a body of men " to be thrown across the Sound to
harass the enemy in the rear & upon their flanks." Eight regiments
were ordered to march to New London, and there to hold themselves in
readiness to embark for Long Island, and to march to the assistance of
the American army. The regiment stationed at New London and Groton
was also ordered to join them if necessary, and protect the inhabitants
of Long Island and their stock from the enemy. Captain Harding was
ordered to use the " Defence " as a guard vessel at the harbor of New
London.*

Upon learning of the distressed condition of the inhabitants of Long
Island and their desire to leave for a safer place, the Governor ordered
" a sufficient force to be put on board the transports to assist & guard
them in their design. "f

*Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 511, 513. + Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 514.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 325

The 19th of September was ordered to be set apart as a public day
of fasting and prayer throughout the State*

The Fourth and Second Regiments of Horse, with nine foot regi-
ments of miHtia, were ordered to march and rendezvous at Westchester.
Captain Samuel Squire of Fairfield with Jonathan Fitch of New Haven
were instructed to make all necessary provisions for the march. At the
same time orders w'ere given for the maintenance of the northern army, f

On the 1 8th of September orders were sent to the several towns in
Connecticut, in which the distressed people of Long Island had sought
refuge, that they should provide such things as Avere found necessary
for their maintenance until the sitting of the General Assembly in
October.

Hospitals were ordered to be erected in the State for the sick on
furlough or discharged. The selectmen of Fairfield and all other towns
from New Haven to Greenwich were instructed to provide hospitals ;
and to place in them suitable persons to care for the sick and wounded
belonging to the State " on the road home," and to furnish them v/ith
such assistance, provisions and refreshment as w^ere deemed necessary, t

The sad fate of Captain Nathaniel Hale, who had been sent into the
enemy's camp by General Washington to gain necessary information oi
their movements, and who was arrested by a Tory relative and hanged
as a spy, sent a thrill of horror and gloom throughout the country, and
added to the discouraging condition of affairs.

General Washington, however, endowed as he was with true military
genius and bravery, resolved to make some vigorous efforts to raise the
spirits of his army.

On the 15th of September the British had detached a large force to
cross the East River three miles above New York, and established a line
of occupation across the island. General Putnam with a rear guard of
4,000 exhausted men barely had time to escape and reach the Washing-
ton camp at Harlem. The enemy sent out parties to reconnoitre.
Washington seized the opportunity to attack their front, and at the
same time sent a detachment to attack their rear. Although the British
were reinforced, they were defeated with the loss of over a hundred men.
The American loss was not half as great, but Colonel Knowlton and
Major Leitch while leading the attack in the rear were killed.

The British were now in full possession of New York. On the 20th

* Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 515. t Col. Rec. Conn., XV, 522.

326 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

of September 493 buildings, including- Trinity Church, were consumed
by fire.

Meanwhile Washington's forces were engaged in strengthening their
positions in and above Harlem by a double line of entrenchments, and in
erecting Fort Washington, " on a rocky height overlooking the Hudson."
Discovering it to be impossible to attack the Americans successfully in
their fortifications. General Howe, with a view to storm them in the rear,
sent a part of his fleet up the Hudson to cut ofif communications with the
west and south, while he himself with a strong force sailed up the Sound
and took possession of grounds northeast of Washington's camp. Mean-
while Washington, anxious to prevent an engagement, left a body of
3,000 men to guard Fort Washington at all hazards, and moved from
Manhattan with the remainder of his army to White Plains.

The following interesting account of the Battle of White Plains, in
which General Silliman's regiment and Captain David Dimon's company
were engaged, is most thrilling as given by an eye witness:

" Action at White Plains, Oct. 28. Last Monday we received intelligence that the
enemy with their whole body were advancing upon us. The army was alarmed & Gen.
Wadsworth's brigade with Gen. Spencer's (about 600 more) were sent out as an advance
party to skirmish & harass the enemy; & they advanced cautiously to a hill, where they
were discovered by the British & tired upon. Advancing with light parties we fired upon
them from behind walls & fences, scattering & causing them to run away from the front ;
but they attempted to get round upon our wing to flank us, playing' upon us in the most
furious manner. We held the walls until about to be surrounded & then retreated from
one hill to another. The Hessians advancing were fired upon at about 20 rods distant, &
scattered like leaves in a whirlwind, running so far that we, some of us, had time to run
to their grounds & bring off their arms & accoutrements & rum that the men who fell
had with them, which we had time to drink round before they came on again. The enemy
formed at a distance & waited until their artillery & main body came on, when they advanced
in solid columns upon us, & were gathered all around us, ten to our one. Cols. Douglas &
Silliman's regiments fired four or five times on them as they advanced and then retreated ;
but not until the enemy began to fire on our flanks. Cols. Silliman, Douglas & Arnold be-
haved nobly, & the men gained much applause. Col. William Williams' & Col. Douglas'
regiments had the principal share of the action. Col. Webb had four killed & eight
wounded. Col. Silliman lost six & had ten or twelve wounded. Col. Douglas had three
killed & six wounded. Col. Brooks', Smallwood's & Ritzman's regiments, who were drawn
upon the hill near the lines, suffered considerably. Our loss seventy or eighty killed &
wounded. It is said by all the deserters & captains, who agree in their stories, that the
enemy had about 300 killed & wounded.

"The scene was grand & solemn; all the adjacent hill smoked as though on lire, &
bellowed & trembled with a perpetual cannonade & fire of field pieces, hobits & mortar.s.
The air groaned with streams of cannon & mu.sket shot ; the hills smoked & echoed terribly
with the bursting of shells ; the fences & walls were knocked down & torn to pieces ; &
men's legs, arms & b(xiies, mangled with cannon & grape shot, all around us. I was in

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 327

the action, & under as good advantage as any one man perhaps to observe all that passed,
& write these particulars of the action from my own observation.

" No general action was designed on our part, & I believe that not more than 1000
men were ever engaged at one time with the enemy. They came on to the hills opposite
our lines & halted; & after commanding part of the lines a short time they became very
still and quiet.

"Yesterday (Oct. 31st) it was observed that they had nearly finished four or tivo
batteries which they had erected against us; &, as our ground near the center of the
town at White Plains was not good, being overlooked by neighboring hills, the Generals
last night drew oflf most of the troops from the lines there, & this morning the Generals
& sentries burned the town & foraged all around it, & came oflf about nine o'clock.

" We carried oflf all our stores & planted our artillery on the hills about a mile & a
half back of the center of the town. The enemy advanced this forenoon on the ground
we left, but as soon as they came over the hills we saluted them with our cannon & field
pieces, & they advanced no further. The main body now lies over against us, & they have
formed no lines across the country as yet below us. The light horse may possibly scour
across as far as the river, but how that is we cannot determine. All things seem to be
rjuiet at Fort Washington." *

Finding the Americans had entrenched themselves strongly during
the night, General Howe did not feel it prudent to attack them until
reinforced. Taking advantage of his delay, Washington withdrew his
forces to New Castle, south of the Croton River. After a few days Howe
returned to New York.

While these events were passing in the army, a General Assembly
of the Governor & Company of the State of Connecticut in New England
in America was held at Hartford on the loth of October. Mr. Jonathan
Sturges and Mr. Thaddeus Burr represented Fairfield.

The first act of the Assembly was to pass the following resolutions,
approving the act of the Continental Congress in severing the United
States from all allegiance to the British Crown : " That this Colony is
& of right ought to be a free & independent State, & the inhabitants
thereof are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, & all polit-
ical connection between them & the King of Great Britain is, & ought
to be totally dissolved."

It was further enacted: "That the form of civil government in this
State shall continue to be as established by Charter received from Charles
the Second, King of England, so far as an adherence to the same will
be consistent with an absolute independence of this State on the Crown
of Great Britain; & that all officers, civil & military, heretofore appointed

* Penn. Evening Post, November 14, 1776. Moore's Diary of American Revolution, pp. 334-
337.

328 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [f??^

by this State, continue in the execution of their several offices; & the
laws of this State shall continue in force until otherwise ordered. And
that for the future all writs & processes in law or equity shall issue in
the name of the Governor & Company of the State of Connecticut, &
that all summonses, attachments, & other processes before any assistant
or justice of the peace, the words, One of his Majesty's justices of the
peace be omitted; & that instead thereof be inserted, justice of the peace;
that no writ or process shall have or bear any date save the year of Our
Lord only; any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
And that the act in alteration of an act prescribing forms of writs, pro-
cesses, etc., be repealed, & the same is hereby repealed."*

An act was passed making it " a treasonable ofifence for any person
residing in the State & under the protection of its laws, to levy war
against the State or Government, knowingly to assist any enemy at
open war against the State, or the United States of America, by joining
their army, persuading others to aid or enlist for that purpose, furnish-
ing such enemies with arms, ammunition, provision, or carrying on a
treacherous correspondence with them, forming any combination, plot,
or conspiracy for betraying the State or the United .States into the
hands of the enemy, or shall give or attempt to give any intelligence to
the enemy, shall suffer death. "f

An Oath of Fidelity was enacted to be taken by the members of the
General Assembly and other officers, civil, military and the freemen within
the State of Connecticut.

An act was passed for seizing and imprisoning persons inimical and
dangerous to the United States and conveying them to a place of safety.
This law proved a severe measure for Tories. Many persons refused to
take the oath of allegiance to the United States; some fled to Canada
and others joined the British forces and sought safety on their ships.
The names of Tories were published in the papers.

An act was also passed for " supporting the credit & currency of the
bills of credit of the State, & of the United States: & making it punish-
able to attempt to dej^reciate them or to counterfeit bills of credit or
lawful coin."

Fresh efforts were ordered to be j'jut forth for equipping and supply-
ing the army with arms, ammunition, clothing and provisions. If neces-
sary provisions were withheld to supply the army when in need, the

* Rec. State Conn., I, 3, 4. f Rec. State Conn., 1,4.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 329

Governor and Committee of Safety were authorized " to impress 8z seize
the same out of the hands of any engrosser, by paying them a suitable
remuneration."

An embargo was laid upon all kinds of provision and clothing sent
out of the colony.

Provisions of every kind w^ere scarce throughout the State. In the
absence of the older members of families, women and young boys were
forced from necessity to plow the fields and raise grain and provisions.
Husking parties were formed in the fall, and bushels of corn made ready
for the use of the army.

Eight battalions were ordered to be raised out of the Connecticut
troops for the Continental army.

Colonel David Dimon of Fairfield was appointed major and Philip
Burr Bradley colonel of the eighth battalion, to be raised in the State
of Connecticut. Albert Chapman of Green's Farms was appointed cap-
tain and Ebenezer Banks of Greenfield second lieutenant in the same
battalion. Elijah Abel, Phineas Beardsley and Ezekiel Sanford were
also made captains of the eighth battalion.*

The exposed position of the seaboard towns led the Assembly to
appeal to Congress to send two battalions to be posted along the coast
of Connecticut, t

David Wooster of New Haven was commissioned major-general of
the militia of Connecticut, and placed in command of the Ninth, Tenth
and Sixteenth Regiments, the Third Regiment of Light Horse, as
well as all available militia and householders, to prevent the encroach-
ments of the British on the western borders of the State, and to give
all possible relief to General Washington. Quartermasters or their
agents were given liberty to impress and seize timber, stone, horses,
oxen, carts or carriages, under a just sum of pay or hire, as well
as every kind of provision and necessity for the use of the army-
Supplies and provisions were also sent to General Gates for Fort;
Ticonderoga.t

It having been shown to the Assembly that certain persons in the
County at Fairfield withheld provisions for the use of the army, Captain
Samuel Squire was instructed to seize any such necessary provision,
and, if refused, to take with him proper officers to break open any shops

* Col. Rec. State of Conn., I, 13. f Col. Rec. .State of Conn., I, 16.

:}: Col. Rec. State of Conn., I, 19.

330 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i776

or Store, in order to take possession of them; and to remove all stores
in the seaboard towns to the interior.

Measures were taken to furnish the sick in camp with every possible
relief and comfort and to establish a State hospital.*

A Commissary of Prisoners of War was appointed to care for prisoners
of the State and those sent from other States for safety.

Thaddeus Burr w^as appointed one of four gentlemen to repair to
Washington's army, and with the advice and assistance of the general
ofTlicers of the State to arrange into regiments and companies the officers
and soldiers appointed for the State battalions, and number their com-
missions according to their proper rank. The Governor was requested
to forthwith issue orders to the chief commanders of the second, third,
fourth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and twentieth regiments of militia.
to be suitably equipped with arms and ammunition, and assigned to
suitable posts along the Sound; to be held in readiness for any sudden
attacks upon the towns, and to give speedy alarm to the adjoining towns. +

It had been discovered that a party of miscreants had formed a
direct line of communication with the British from New York to Canada.
General Wooster was therefore instructed to aid a committee appointed
to remove all Tory sympathizers with the British in the western part of
the State, as well as " persons disposed to cause insurrection and re-
sistance to State authority to some suitable place in the interior, & there
to hold them as prisoners.":}:

Lieutenant-colonel Samuel Whiting was promoted to be colonel of
the Fourth Regiment of militia in i)lace of Gold Sellick Silliman promoted;
Captain Abraham Gould (Gold) was promoted colonel of militia in place
of Ichabod Lewis deceased; Captain Jonathan Dimon major in place of
Agur Judson, all in the Fourth Regiment of militia of the State. §

It was reported about the 7th of October that on the 29th of Sep-
teml)er a prize ship from Jamaica bound to London was taken by Captain
Harding of the ship " Defence," Avith a large cargo of rum, sugar, bales
of cotton, a quantity of mahogany and two sea turtles, w^hich he sent
into New London. This prize had " sailed from Montego Bay, in com-
pany with two hundred sail under a convoy of two ships of war, which
returned to port." " On the 3d of October Captain Harding arrived in
the ' Defence ' from a cruise; & on the same morning he fell in with two

* Col. Rcc. Suite of Conn., I. 20, 26. f Col. Rcc. Conn., I, 26.

\ Col. Rec. Conn., I, 27. § Col. Rec. Conn., I, 28.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 33 1

British frigates ; the frigates fired sixty or seventy shot at the ' Defence,'
& the ' Defence ' returned a Hke number — & the frigates came to anchor
ofT Goshen-reef, about five miles west of New London harbor." Two
days after " Captain Harding took the aforesaid prize, he also took a
Guinea-man, homeward bound from the West Indies, William Jackson,
Master."*

Captain Harding was ordered, October 23d, by the Governor and
Council, sitting at New Haven, to sail with the brig " Defence " on a
cruise against the enemy for two months, f Before sailing Captain
Hardy reported December 12th to Governor Trumbull, " That Lieut.
Ebenezer Bartram was in poor health, & unable to go to sea, which he
much regretted, as he was a man of courage, & wished him kept under
pay for his former good services." Captain Bartram was afterwards
fully remunerated for his valuable services in the " Defence.":}: He died
January 3d, in 1783, aged fifty-two, and was one of the heroes of the
Revolution who sacrificed his health and life for his country. His re-
mains, with those of his wife (his son, Captain Joseph Bartram, was lost
at sea on a return voyage from the West Indies), were buried in Burial
Hill Cemetery at Fairfield.

October 30th, Captain Samuel Squire was granted £500 as com-
missary.

At the same time it was voted to supply Andrew Rowland of Fair-
field and Samuel Broom and Company, " with 8 three-pounders double
fortified, 8 swivels, 500-weight of gunpowder at ^s. 4d. per hundred-
weight, 240 round of shot & one hundred-weight of grape shot, two
ounces each."§

A most dispiriting account of the naval action on Lake Champlain
and the defeat of the xA.mericans by the British reached the Governor and
Council soon after. Though the action lasted five hours, only one galley
escaped, with the sloop " Enterprize," two small schooners and one gon-
dola. The remainder of the fleet was taken and burned. General Arnold
fought in the galley " ' Congress.' as long as possible, then ran her
ashore, burned her, & escaped to Ticonderoga with a loss of twenty men.
General Waterbury in the ' Washington ' galley, fought until the galley
was sinking under him & was obliged to strike to the enemy." || Both
Generals Arnold and Waterbury commanded Connecticut troops.

* Plinman's War of the Revolution, p. 90. f Rec. State Conn., I, 54.

J State Rec. Conn., I, 456. § State Rec. Conn., I, 56.

II Connecticut Courant. Ilinman's War of tlie Revolution, p. 91.

332 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

The appearance on the Sound of several armed British cruisers gave
general alarm to all the towns. On December 9th twenty-four sail of
the British fleet were at anchor between Fairfield and Norwaik.

A town meeting w^as called at Fairfield, October 31st, when it was
voted : " That there be a guard of twenty-six men to guard the town
nightly, & every night to be set in manner following, viz. : four to patrol
from Saugatuck River to Cable's mill, & from said mill to Sasco river,
& four from Sasco river to the Mill River, & four from Mill River to
Pine Creek, & six to patrol from Pine Creek to the Ash-house Creek
so called, & in the town streets, & four at Stratfield. Voted, Each one
of the guards have three shillings a night for their services. Voted the
guard to be taken out of the Fairfield Prime Society, Green's Farms,
Greenfield & Stratfield."*

Meanwhile General Washington, fearing an attack on New Jersey,
left General Lee in command of about four thousand men at Fort Wash-
ington, and took up his headquarters at Fort Lee on the opposite side
of the Hudson. General Lee was soon after attacked at Fort Washing-
ton by the British in overwhelming numbers and obliged to capitulate,
leaving stores and ammunition, with over two thousand prisoners, in
the enemy's hands. The British then crossed the Hudson, November
19th, to Fort Lee, which Washington hastily abandoned, leaving a great
quantity of baggage and artillery, and, marching rapidly to Trenton,
crossed the Delaware by boat, into Pennsylvania. By this time Wash-
ington's troops were reduced to three thousand men, who endured great
hardships while pursued by the British, " some of them being without
shoes, leaving blood-stained tracks on the frozen ground." Among
those who were with General Washington's forces at this time was Cap-
tain Nathan Jennings of Fairfield, one of whose daughters afterwards
married Commodore Reid of the United States Navy. Lord Cornwallis
followed closely after, but upon reaching Trenton concluded to wait
before crossing the Delaware until the ice in the river should be broken
up. He stationed his troops at Princeton, New Brunswick and other
advantageous points in New Jersey.

Philadelphia was now threatened, and the Congress adjourned to
Baltimore. Washington was soon joined by fresh forces from Pennsyl-
vania, and finding himself at the head of an army of live thousand men,
he resolved to make an attack upon the enemy.

* Fairfield Town Records.

1776] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 333

At this critical state of depression and gloom throughout the country-
Sir William Howe offered pardon to all persons who should return to
their allegiance to Great Britain within sixty days, as well as to all con-
gresses, civil and military.

Taking advantage of Christmas, at which time Washington, foresee-
ing that the German and British troops stationed at Trenton would give
themselves up to enjoyment, decided to make a bold stroke and attack
them on the night of the 25th while they were sleeping soundly after
their day of revelry. The night being stormy favored his design. Two
of his divisions found it impossible, however, to cross the Delaware,
which was full of floating ice; but Washington and Sullivan, with the
third division, successfully crossed and commenced their march at four
o'clock in the morning to Trenton. They came suddenly upon the
enemy, and taking them wholly by surprise completely overpowered
them. Colonel Rahl in command of fifteen hundred Hessians, while
vainly endeavoring to rally his troops, was mortally wounded. One thou-
sand Hessians threw down their arms, while the rest, with the British
cavalry, escaped. Recognizing the fact that he could not hold Trenton
against the numbers which in a short time could be marched against
him, W^ashington prudently recrossed the Delaware with his prisoners
and captured booty, having lost but four men, two of whom died from
cold and exposure.

This well achieved stroke gave heart to the entire country, and Con-
gress invested Washington with almost unlimited power to prosecute
the war. Lord Howe, who had so recently offered pardon to all in arms
against Great Britain, recalled General Cornwallis to New Jersey almost
at the moment when the latter was about to sail for England.

Although the enlistment of fourteen hundred of Washington's forces
had expired, upon being offered a bounty of ten dollars each to continue
with him they agreed to remain six weeks longer. Four days after
Washington recrossed the Delaware with his forces to Trenton, but upon
learning of the arrival of Cornwallis with a large body of troops he made
a forced circuitous march in the rear of the British to Princeton, where,
January 3d, they overtook a brigade of the enemy, overpowered them,
drove them from the town with great loss and took three hundred pris-
oners. Cornwallis, hearing the noise of an engagement, hurried to the
relief of his brigade, but Washington had led his forces and prisoners to
Morristown Heights, where the British general saw that it was useless

334 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i776

to attack them in their impregnable situation, and soon after withdrew
most of his forces to New York and vicinity. The loss of the British
at the Battle of Princeton was about four hundred, and that of the
American about one hundred.

Washington now stationed his army in detachments at Princeton, in
the Highlands of the Hudson and at Morristown, where he spent several
months in organizing, training and preparing them for service. And
here Washington, from his winter quarters, sent out detachments of
troops which recovered the greater part of New Jersey.

The drain on Connecticut for forces to carry out the war in all these
engagements was very great. Reinforcements were constantly sent for
the defence of Lake Champlain, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Canada, New
York, New London, Long Lsland, Rhode Lsland and to protect the
western part of the State. About fifteen thousand men were employed
in these drafts and marched out of the State during the year."*

On the 1 8th of December the General Assembly met at Middletown.
when it was enacted that all the twenty-five regiments of the State should
be formed into six brigades commanded by two major-generals. " to
rank & command as first & second over the whole militia of the State." "t"
To prevent unreasonable and excessive prices for the necessities and
conveniences of life occasioned " chiefly by monopolizers, the great pests
of society, who prefer their own private gain to the interests & safety of
the country," the committees of the several States of New l^ngland,
having recommended that the prices of necessities l)e limited by law. the
.'\ssembly proceeded to fix a price upon labor of every kind, as well as
all kinds of products, food and clothing; legal fees of every kind, liquors,
imported goods and those taken on prize vessels. Suitable penalties were
fixed upon any infringement of these prices. Vessels or boats of any
size were prohibited from going out of harbors of the State without a
license. A limit was placed upon excessive charges by tavern keepers in
houses of public entertainment. Owing to a scarcity of bread stuffs, dis-
tilled liquors from wheat, rye and Indian corn were prohil)ited until the

May Assembly. :t

Eighty thousand pounds of notes, in equal sums of ten pounds each,
were ordered to be borrowed from persons in the State in money or
bills of credit on the State or on the Continental Congress by the State

* Ilinman's War of the Revolution, p. in. f Col. Rec. Conn., I, 91.

I Rec. Slate Conn., I, 97.

17761 THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 335

treasurer, payable to the bearer at or before the end of three years, with
four per cent, interest. These notes were to be received and paid by a
State Loan Office, established at this time for borrowing and repaying-
money. John Lawrence, Esq., the treasurer of the State, was chosen
commissioner for this office.*

Intelligence having reached the Assembly of the designs of the
British to penetrate into New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all able-bodied
men on the west side of the Connecticut River were called upon " to
spring forward for the service & defence of their country," form them-
selves into companies, choose their own officers, and march to Washing-
ton's headquarters at Peekskill, their officers to be commissioned on the
road by some of the field officers. They were granted a bounty of twenty
shillings each from their captains to assist them on their march. " And
may the God of armies inspire good people with zeal & resolution on
this most interesting & hopeful occasion. "f

Thaddeus Burr was appointed one of a committee to carry out this
design and " to rouse & animate the people to rise & exert themselves
with the greatest expedition." All friends of the country were called
upon " to lend every aid in their power to promote this great & good
design." Men and youths who had not entered the army, or who had
left it, independent of the train-bands, were now required to bear arms
from the age of sixteen to sixty; those exempt from ordinary training
were to constitute an alarm list.:}: Only ministers, members of the
General Assembly and of the Council of War, the president, tutors and
students of Yale College, negroes, Indians and mulattoes were exempt.
Men over fifty, millers and ferrymen were not required to march out of
the State. The selectmen of each town were required to furnish a cor-
rect list of the male population for the alarm list and deliver them to the
commanding officer of the regiment to which they belonged; to be
formed into companies to consist of about sixty-four privates, with one
captain, one lieutenant and one ensign. §

One company of volunteers was stationed in each of the Sound towns.
Fairfield was ordered to raise twenty men, commanded by a lieutenant
and one sergeant. Lieutenant George Burr was placed in command of
this contingent.il

* Rec. State Conn., I, 107. f Col. Rec. Conn., I, 108.

I Col. Rec. Conn., I, log. g Col. Rec. Conn., I, 92.

D Col. Rec. Conn., I, 119.

336 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1776

Troops were also ordered to be raised, and a committee appointed
for the defence of the State, and to assist the other New England State
committees in driving the British from Rhode Island, and to open free
communication with the army stationed in and about New York, New
Jersey and Philadelphia. The selectmen of each town were ordered to
care for sick and infirm soldiers from any State passing through Con-
necticut.

Reports of the inhuman manner in which the American troops were
treated " who had unhappily fallen into the hands of the enemy in the
last campaign, having suffered extreme hardships, distress & hunger
cold & nakedness, & many thereby reduced to sickness; & the sick
crowded in heaps, neglected & left to die for want of medicine or any
reasonable care," it was resolved to investigate the facts of their condi-
tion and report to the Governor, " that such steps might be taken to
prevent the like injustice & cruelty in future." The commissary ap-
pointed to care for prisoners was also required to make a report of the
condition of prisoners brought into Connecticut.*

Captain Samuel Squire was ordered to apply to the treasurer for means
to pay ofif the troops of General Wooster and Colonels Ward and Water-
bury, which had been billeted on the inhabitants of Norvvalk, Stamford
and Greenwich, while on their march to New York in 1775 and I776.t

General Wooster was appointed first major-general of the whole State
militia, and Gold Sellick Silliman brigadier-general of the Fourth Bri-
gade of the State militia. Abijah Sterling was commissioned captain of
a train-band in Stratfield, in the Fourth Regiment. +

In order to meet the demands upon the State treasury a tax of four
pence on the pound was levied on the taxable estates of the inhabitants
of the list of 1775 with the additions to be collected and paid into the
treasury on or before the loth day of May, 1777. §

The Assembly granted an appeal from Ezra Havvley and others of
Stratford from their exposed condition for a guard of twenty-five men
at New Field Harbor (Bridgeport), to be under the command of Lieu-
tenant Aaron Hawley and two sergeants, with an order to receive from
the foundry at Simsbury two cannon, four-pounders, to be mounted on
proper carriages, with a suf^cient quantity of shot and powder. ||

* Col. Rec. Conn., I, 121. + Col. Kec. Conn., I, 132,

t Rec. State Conn., I, 134, 136. t^ Rec. State Conn., I, 139.

J Rec. State Conn., I, 142.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 337

1777. The Governor and Council of Safety met at Middletown, De-
cember 8th. On January loth Lieutenant Samuel Bartram of Black-
Rock, of the brig " Defence," was from infirmity dismissed from his
office, and Lieutenant Samuel Smedley promoted to the office of first
lieutenant. Captain Harding was ordered to sail on a cruise for three
months, and in case he was not able to sail Lieutenant Smedley was to
act in his place, and to join, if deemed advisable, with other privateers
in an expedition against the vessels and wood-cutters at Shelter Island.
Orders were also given for a distribution of the last prize taken by the
brig " Defence."*

Letters were received from General Washington, dated January loth,
and from President Hancock, urging the utmost dispatch in filling up
quotas to lie at the eastward of New^ York, to divert an expected attack
upon Philadelphia.

On January 25th a distribution was ordered to be made from the
sale of the prize ship *' Sally " and schooners " Hancock " and " Eliza-
beth," and after deducting to the commander-in-chief one-twentieth part
of the net proceeds of each, one-third of the remainder was ordered to
be distributed to the agents of the crews of the " Defence " and the
schooner " Spy."t

Lieutenant Isaac Burr represented to the Governor " that twenty new
men were not enough for the service at Fairfield, & that the cannon,
being double fortified 12-pounders, were too heavy to be managed by
1 hem." Five men more were at once added to the battery for one year. X

On the 28th of January the Rev. John Sayer, rector of the Church
of England at Fairfield, having been sent to the Governor and Council.
" as a person inimical and dangerous to the interests of the United States,"
it was resolved " to send Mr. Sayer to the Society of New Britain in
Farmington, to be under the care of Col. Isaac Lee, from the limits of
which place he was not to depart until further orders from the Governor
& Council of Safety."!

On February 3d Thaddeus Burr, Esq., was by letter requested to
obtain ten tons of good, well-dressed flax for the State. Many persons
outside the State applied for flax and rye, and were allowed to purchase
hundreds of tons of flax in Fairfield County.

Lieutenant Samuel Smedley was promoted captain of the brig " De-

* Rec. State Conn., I, 156. + Rec. State Conn.. I, i6r.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 162. § Rec. State Conn., I, 164.

338 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD L»777

fence " for a further cruise in place of Captain Harding, who from ill-
health was retired from service.*

Orders were sent to Captain Squire and Mr. Thaddeus Burr to stop
sending clothing to New York now needed in the State.

Smallpox having become prevalent in the army, by advice from
Washington all troops raised for further service were by the Governor
and Council ordered to be inoculated before joining the army, and each
town was instructed to provide suitable hospitals for that purpose, at-
tended by good physicians and good nurses, and great care taken to
prevent the spread of the disease.

Lieutenant John Mills of Fairfield was appointed first lieutenant
March ist in Colonel Swift's regiment. At the same time he was al-
lowed £i6 i6s. for money advanced by him for the defence of the harbor
at Black Rock. He was soon after promoted captain of Colonel Swift's
battalion. t

The military guard stationed at Fairfield was placed under the com-
mand of Brigadier-General Silliman, and the selectmen of the town were
given liberty to draw on the powder mill at New Haven for cannon and
musket powder which they might necessarily require for the defence of
the town.:}:

On March iith the Ciovernor, etc., ordered that a company of mat-
trosses consisting of thirty-two men should be raised and stationed at
Fairfield and parts adjacent, under Captain John Grinnell and other
officers appointed by General Silliman. §

On the 15th of March six warriors from the Six Nations presented
themselves to the Governor, etc., who were travelling through the State
to obtain knowledge of the true condition of the country in the present
war, so as to make a report to their several tribes. They were received
with courtesy. The forenoon was occu]:)icd in delix-ering a speech to
them, and they were presented " with a gun, a gun-lock and belt strings,
etc., in token of friendship," the gun and lock being manufactured in
Connecticut, " & given as a specimen of American workmanship.'.' I

* Rec. State Conn., I, 16S. f Kt-c. Slate Conn., 1, 189.

X Kec. State Conn., I, igo.

§ Mattross, almost an obsolete word. A soldier in a train-band next to the jjiinner, to assist
them in loading, firing, and sponging the guns. They carried (ire-locks and marched with the
store-wagons as guards and assistants. Sometimes sailors and marines who sleep in hanging-mats
or hammocks were called mattresses.

Q Rec. State Conn., I, 192.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 339

On the 15th of March "A letter from a great house in France to
his Honor the Governor, offering supplies, was communicated to the
Governor & Council, & they appeared greatly pleased."*

In March, 1776, Silas Dean of VVethersfield and Arthur Lee had
been sent by the Continental Congress to France, Prussia and Spain to
make overtures for assistance in prosecuting the war in America. Soon
after Dr. Benjamin Franklin was elected a commissioner of the Con-
tinental Congress to conclude a treaty of friendship with the French
Court. He sailed for France October 27th, reached Nantes December
13, 1776, and proceeded at once to Paris, "where he engrossed the
whole attention of the public. People of all ranks paid court to him.
His afifability and complacent behaviour gained him the esteem of the
greatest people in the kingdom. "f

While France sympathized with America, it was not deemed expe-
dient to lend any open assistance to Dean, Franklin and Lee, but she
was only too pleased to render such secret assistance as she could against
England. It was no wonder, therefore, that Governor Trumbull and
his Council of War and Safety should be greatly pleased to hear of the
success of Franklin and his associates, and to receive soon after " more
than twenty thousand stands of arms & 1,000 barrels of powder."

The enthusiasm and sympathy of many of the French people for the
American cause was great. The Marquis de La Fayette, then but twenty
years of age, upon hearing of the Declaration of Independence became
so deeply interested in the just cause of the United States that, against
all public and private advice and hindrance, he secretly purchased a
vessel and escaped from France with De Kalb and other friends, reach-
ing Charleston in safety, and soon after joined General Washington.

On March 17th, by requisition of Washington, detachments from
several Connecticut regiments were drafted and sent to Peekskill.

Vigorous steps were set on foot to fill the battalions for immediate
service. As an inducement for men to enlist, the selectmen of each town
were directed to oversee the needs of the families of volunteers, that
they, as well as the poor, should be supplied with necessaries at the
expense of the State. +

Letters from General Silliman, March 19th, were read of the alarm-

* Rec. State Conn., I, 193.

f Moore's Diary Revolution, 457. Penn. Journal, June 25, 1777.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 194.

340 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

ing State of affairs at Fairfield from the enemy's ships on the Sound. At
the same time General SilHman was instructed to purchase thirty tons
of flax for the use of the colony.*

Two thousand men were ordered to march to Peekskill.

By demand of Captain Isaac Mills, Captain Samuel Squire was or-
dered to furnish provisions for two armed vessels to cruise the Sound.
One six-pound and one three-pound cannon were sent to the defence of
Fairfield, and one six-pound and one three-pound cannon was sent to
Lieutenant Aaron Hawley for the defence of Stratfield harbor, f

Joseph Hoit, Jr., and Benjamin Hoit, confined as Tories in the jail
at Fairfield, were ordered to be released upon paying costs to Mr. Thad-
deus Burr as sherifi".

General Silliman received orders, April 12th, from Governor Trum-
bull, etc., to keep the utmost watchfulness over the enemy, " supposed
to be collecting in New York, in order to push up the North River to
destroy our magazines at Danbury & other places in those parts ; & to
raise his brigade for defence if he judged it needful, & to give notice to
the Governor & Council of every alarming appearance of danger in his
department." i

The quota not having been filled promised to the Continental Con-
gress, Governor Trumbull issued a proclamation to the officers and in-
habitants of each town in the State, to rally and to use every influ-
ence and exertion to fill the Connecticut quota from each respective
town, " which could not be neglected without the most imminent hazard,
ruin (S: destruction of the State & Continent, w^hich if not immediately
filled, constant rotation of the Militia & Husbandmen must l)e called off,
which would afford the dismal certain prospect of being devoured by a
Famine." Every volunteer detached from the militia was oltered a
bounty of three pounds provided he enlisted until the following January. §

The overseers of the furnace at Salisbury, after supplying the order
for cannon and shot to the army to the northward, v.'ere instructed to
send the remainder to Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield, as the Gov-
ernor should direct, (ireat care was taken to preserve the furnaces at
Salisbury, and committees were appointed to insi)ect arms and amnnmi-
tion against fraud and imposition.

Captain James Smedley, of the brig " Defence," having taken two

* Rec. State Conn., I, 195. f Rec. State Conn., I. 200.

X Col. Rec. Conn., I, 207. § Col. Rec. Conn., I. 207.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 341

prize vessels and sent them into Boston and Dartmouth, Mr. Eliot, the
Connecticut agent at Boston, on the 22d of April was instructed to at-
tend to the care, value and distribution of said prizes. On the 25th
letters to the Governor and Council were received, informing them that
Captain Smedley had taken another prize vessel, *' called the ' Grog,' "
and taken it into Plymouth. Captain Smedley was reappointed " cap-
tain of the brig * Defence,' and his commission sent to him."'*'

Pressing letters for troops to be sent to the northward were received
from General Gates, representing the danger he was in from the enemy,
and urging the Governor and Council to write to the States of Massa-
chusetts and New Hampshire for new reinforcements.

On the 25th of April twenty-six sail of British ships appeared off Norwalk Islands,
standing in for Cedar Point, where they anchored at four o'clock P. M., & soon began
landing their troops. By ten o'clock they had landed two brigades of about 2000 men, &
marched immediately for Danbury, where they arrived the next day at two o'clock P. M.
Upon their approach a small band of Continental troops, unable to cope with so superior a
force, securing a part of their stores & provisions, evacuated the town. The British upon
their arrival began burning & destroying stores, houses, provisions, &c. Intelligence of
their arrival spread quickly through the country. Early the next morning Brigadier-
General Silliman, with about 500 militia, all that could be collected, pursued them. At
Redding he was joined by Major-General VVooster & Brigadier-General Arnold. A heavy
rain retarded the march of the provincials, so that they did not reach Bethel, a village two
miles from Danbury, until eleven o'clock at night, much fatigued, &.with their arms wet
& useless. It was thought prudent to refresh the men & prepare for an attack of the
enemy on their return. Early the next morning, while it was still raining, they were in
motion. Two hundred men remained with General Wooster & about 400 were detached
under General Arnold & General Silliman on the road leading to Norwalk. About 9
o'clock the next morning they learned that the British had taken the road leading to
Norwalk. General Wooster pursued them, & came up with them about 11 o'clock. A
smart skirmish ensued. Gen. Wooster, who fought with great bravery, was wounded in
the groin, & it was feared mortally. By a forced march across the country Gen. Arnold
reached Ridgefield about eleven o'clock with his small party of 400, & loo more men who
had joined them in their march, awaited the British, who were soon seen approaching
with three field pieces in front & three in the rear, and with flank guards of about 200 men
each. Upon discovering the Americans they began discharging their artillery, & were
soon within musket shot, when the Americans, with great spirit & braverj^ attacked them
& held their own for about an hour, having raised a small breast-work across the way,
behind which General Arnold with 200 men had taken post, with the rest being posted on
his flanks, '' who acted with great spirit." General Arnold's horse was shot under him,
but he --emained unhurt. He had only time to collect himself when he shot a British sol-
dier advancing about two yards off with fixed bayonet. He then ordered a retreat amid
a shower of grape shot.

In this action the British lost considerably, leaving about 30 dead & wounded on the
ground, besides a number unknown buried. On the American side Lieut.-Col. Abraham
* Rec. State Conn., 1, 212, 213

342 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [mi

Gold was killed, one subaltern & several privates killed & wounded. It was found im-
possible to rally our troops, & Gen. Arnold ordered a stand to be made at Saugatuck
bridge, where the British were expected to pass.

At 9 o'clock on the morning of the 28th, about 500 men collected at the Saugatuck
bridge, including part of Col. Lamb's battalion of artillery, with 3 field pieces, under com-
mand of Lieut.-Col. Oswold; a field piece, with part of the artillery company from Fair-
field, sixty Continental troops, & 3 companies of volunteers from New Haven, with whom
Gens. Arnold & Silliman took post about 2 miles above the bridge. Soon after the British
appeared in sight. Their rear was attacked by Col. Huntington, commanding a party of
about 500 men, who sent to Gen. Arnold for instructions & for some officers to assist him.
Gen. Silliman was ordered to his assistance. The enemy finding our troops advantageously
posted, made halt, & after some little time wheeled to the left, & forded Saugatuck river
three miles above the bridge. Gen. Arnold observing this motion, ordered the whole to
march directly to the Bridge, in order to attack them in the flank. General Silliman at
the same time attacking them in the rear. The British by running full speed had passed
the bridge on the Fairfield side with their main body before our troops could cross it.
General Silliman finding it impossible to overtake them on their route, proceeded to the
bridge, where the whole were formed. They marched in two columns, with two field
pieces on the right, the other on the left of the enemy, when a smart skirmishing & firing
of field pieces ensued, which continued about 3 hours. The enemy having gained the high
hills at Compo, several attempts were made to dislodge them, but without effect. Having
landed a number of fresh troops to cover their embarkation, which they effected a little
before sunset, they weighed anchor immediately, & stood across the Sound for Huntington
on Long Island. Our loss cannot exactly be ascertained, no return being made ; it is
judged about sixty killed & wounded. Among the killed are one Lieutenant-Colonel, one
captain, four subalterns, & Dr. David Atwater of New Haven, whose death is greatly
lamented by his acquaintances. Among the number wounded are Col. John Lamb (of the
artillery), Arnold, Bradley, & Timothy Gorham, volunteers from New Haven, though
not mortally. The enemy's loss is judged to be more than double our number, & about 20
prisoners. They behaved on this occasion with their usual barbarity, wantonly & cruelly
murdering the wounded prisoners who fell into their hands; & plundering the inhabitants,
burning & destroying everything in their way."* Lieutenant Middlebrook was killed dur-
ing the return of the British forces from Danbury.

" Major General David Wooster died May 3rd of the wounds he received in the battle
of Danbury, Conn. He was a native of Stratford, where he was born March 2nd, 171 1.
He graduated at Yale College in 1738. He became a lieutenant in the Spanish war, & was
promoted to become a captain of the armed vessel built by the General Assembly to guard
the Connecticut coast. He was afterwards a captain in Col. Burr's regiment in 1745, >n the
expedition against Louisburg, & after its reduction he was sent to France with a part of
the prisoners taken there. He afterwards went to England, where he was honored with a
captaincy in Sir William Pepperell's regiment. After peace was declared he received his
half pay. Upon the renewal of the war with France in 1755 he was appointed colonel &
commander of a brigade. Although employed on half pay from Great Britain, upon the
opening of the Revolution in 1774 his love of country led him to espouse the American
cause. Immediately after the Battle of Lexington the General Assembly of Connecticut
appointed him chief in command of the forces being raised; & the same summer he was
commissioned brigadier-general in the Continental service. After receiving his commission

* Connecticut Journal, April 30. 1777, and Tcnnsylvania Journal, May 14, 1777.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 343

he was sent in 1775 to assist in guardinpf New York against an expected landing of British
troops. He was afterwards sent with his troops into Canada, & assisted in the reduction
of St. Johns, Montreal, &c. After the death of General Montgomery he was appointed
to the chief command of that province. Upon his return to Connecticut, he was appointed
first major-general of the Connecticut militia. He had spent an active winter at the head
of a body of men raised to protect the State in 1777, & had only just returned when, ou
Saturday, the 26th of April, he received intelligence of the landing of the British forces at
Compo. He set out for Fairfield without delay, leaving orders for his troops to be mus-
tered & sent forward immediately. Upon his arrival at Fairfield he learned that General
Silliman had marched with his forces in pursuit of the British ; & following him with
all expedition, overtook him at Redding, where he had command of the forces which had
been raised, & rested the same evening at Bethel, where it was decided to divide the troops,
a part of which was sent off under the command of Generals Arnold & Silliman & the
remainder were retained by General Wooster, which he led on in pursuit of the British to
Ridgefield, overtaking them about 4 o'clock on the Sabbath. Although he had but about
two hundred men under him, he resolved to attack the enemy at once, & led his forces on
himself with unflinching courage; but his militia were mostly inexperienced men, & the
enemy having control of several field pieces, although his men fought bravely, doing con-
siderable execution, they were forced to give way. While rallying his forces to renew the
attack a musket ball from about fifty rods distant struck him obliquely in the back &
broke his backkbone." An effort was made to find the ball, but without any success. He
was attended by Dr. Turner and carefully conveyed back to Danbury. where he had every
care and attention. It was soon discovered that the lower part of his body was paralyzed.
Finally, alive to his condition, he met his death bravely, having lived and died one of the
bravest and most honored of Connecticut's sons. Finding it impossible to convey his re-
mains back to New Haven to be interred there, he was buried at Danbury.*

The remains of Colonel Abraham Gold were conveyed to his home
in Fairfield by his officers and men. His untimely death was deplorell
by the town and State. Descended from a long line of illustrious men,
who had been among the chief statesmen and military leaders of Con-
necticut, he fell lamented as the scion of a brave race and honored as a
wise statesman and a gallant Christian soldier. He died in the forty-
fourth year of his age, and was buried in Burial Hill Cemetery at Fair-
field. Over his grave is a handsome stone, erected by his son, Jason
Gold, in honor of his distinguished father. His silver-mounted sword
has been kept in the family of his grandson, Abraham Gold Jennings of
Brooklyn, L. I., while his sash and military coat are to be seen in the
Trumbull Gallery of New Haven. t

The news of the attack on Danbury reached the Governor and Council
on the 27th of April by express from General Wadsworth, " of troops
landing at Fairfield & others going up the North River"; and from

* Connecticut Journal, May 14, 1777. Pennsylvania Journal, June 25, 1777. Moore's Diary.
PP- 433. 434-

f Appendix — Genealogical. Hist. Fairfield, I, 370.

344

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

Colonel Jedediah Huntington of Nonvich, while at Danbury, " of i8
ships & troops going up the North River to Peekskill; & the same night
news that Danbury was on fire & our stores taken, etc." General Hun-
tington was ordered to go westward, " & given full power to call forth
& order as many militia as he mig-ht find necessary, draw up orders &
hasten to the Continental troops, etc.'"''

On the 29th of April the Governor and Council ordered the officers
of the eastern part of the State to call together their companies, and to
be prepared for a sudden attack from the enemy.

Soon after General Meigs retaliated upon the attack on Danbury by
crossing the Sound to Sag Harbor on the east end of Long Island and
burning twelve British vessels, a large quantity of stores and taking
ninety prisoners, without the loss of one man.t

On the 4th of May General Silliman was requested by the Governor
and Council to order one-fourth of his brigade to the sea-coast for the
defence of Fairfield County. +

The General Assembly met at Hartford May 8th. Captain Samuel
Squire and Major Elijah Abel represented Fairfield.

A law was enacted by which the Governor or Commander-in-Chief
should be called " His Excellency."^

■■ The hills of credit on the State & tlic United States of America, together with the
silver & gold passing within the State, having afforded a sufficient medium of trade, & the
circulation of the paper money of other states having had a tendency to depreciate the
Continental bills, it was made a law that after Aug. ist no person should receive any other
paper money than that of the State & of the United States, under a penalty 'not exceeding
fifty pounds & not less than forty shillings.' " ||

An ecclesiastical law was passed : " That all sucli churches & congregations of separat-
ists froin the established Congregational Church siiould have full power to contribute to
tlie support & maintenance of such churches ; & be exempted from any ta.x for the support
of the established churches in the State; but 'be disqualified to vote in any society meeting,
save only for granting taxes for tiie support of schools & the education of cliildren.' " "i

On May 26, 1777, slaves allowed to enlist in the army ujion the fol-
lowing conditions:

" They must procure & pay to their masters such sums as the selectmen judge reason-
able & the masters shall be exempt from their future support.

2. They may only enlist under an apprisal from the selectmen, & their masters are

* Rec. State Conn., I, 214. + llinman's War of .American Revolution, p. 141.

X Rec. State of Conn., I, 218. t:5 Rec. State of Conn., 1, 229.

\ Rec. State of Conn., I, 231. "I Rec. State Conn., I, 232.

1777! THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 345

entitled to one-half of their bounty in wages. Referred in the lower house to the next
session — negatived in the upper house.

Several laws were passed for preserving good order and discipline
in the army.

Commissioned and non-commissioned officers, when safe to do so, were required to
attend divine service at some place appointed for that purpose; to use no unlawful oaths
or execrations under a penalty of being court-martialed, " & be deprived of their wages
for one day.'' An officer or soldier guilty of speaking disrespectfully of a civil or military
officer, or joining any meeting or sedition against his company or the military forces of
the United States, strike or offer to draw any weapon of violence against an officer, or de-
sert the army, should be court-martialed. Officers were required under a penalty of court-
martial to quell riots, quarrels and frays, as well as challenges for duelists and seconds
and those aiding therein. Non-commissioned officers or soldiers who should offer violence
to any inhabitant, seize his goods, plunder any house or building, lield, garden or lot, or
should kill, wound or destroy cattle, sheep, hogs, fowls or any other creature belonging to
the good people of the State, or should tempt them to loan, give or sell any horse, carriage,
victuals, liquor, entertainment or any other thing, should be punished by a court-martial,
and reparation be made to the injured party by the offender paying him out of his wages,
or by delivering him over to the civil authorities for punishment. No non-commissioned
officer or soldier found one mile from camp, or who should lie outside his camp quarters
without leave of his commanding officer, failing to retire to their quarters at retreat-
beating, or not to repair when summoned to the parade post of alarm or other place of
rendezvous, were to be court-martialed. Any officer, guard or sentinel under arms found
drunk or designedly make a false alarm and leave his division without permission to plun-
der, should be court-martialed. An officer who should compel his commanding officer to
give up his post or garrison to the enemy, should suffer death or punishment by a court-
martial. An officer or soldier making known the parole or countersign, relieve the enemy
knowingly with money, victuals, arms or ammunition, harbor or protect an enemy, traitor-
ously decoy or betray a corps, party or detachment into the enemy's hands, abandon any post
committed to his charge, or endeavor to induce others to do so, should suffer death by
court-martial. Strict laws were made for forming a court-martial for the punishment of
offenders.

These laws were ordered to be published in the several newspapers
in the State, and one thousand copies of them printed, and read monthly
in each town by the officers to their companies.*

A company of rangers was ordered to be raised for the State, with
a bounty granted each man of three pounds for his necessary outfit.

Strong and liberal measures were taken for recruiting the army for
a three years' campaign.

A tax of twelve pence on the pound was laid on the general list of
taxable estates of 1776, with the additions, to be collected and paid into

* Rec. Stale Conn., 1, 235, 239, 249,

346 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

the treasury on or before the 29th of December. The treasurer of the
State was authorized to borrow or issue his note on interest for such
sums for immediate occasion, not to exceed seventy-two thousand pounds,
payable at his office in Continental or State bills at the end of one year
from the date of such loans. No note was to be issued for a less sum
than thirty pounds,*

Two battalions of seven hundred and twenty-eight men each were
ordered to be raised for the defence of the sea-port towns and stationed
along the coast until January of 1778 A

A great scarcity of salt caused the Assembly to make every effort
for its manufacture in the State.

Officers holding commissions issued before the Declaration of Inde-
pendence were directed to deliver their commissions to the colonels or
chief commanding officers of the regiment to which they belonged, in
order to receive new commissions from the authorities of the State of
Connecticut. X

Mr, Thaddeus Burr was appointed one of a committee to furnish
firearms and gun-locks for the army.

It was ordered that every officer and private soldier, as well as ma-
rine officers or soldiers, who, by the misfortunes of war should become
disabled from earning a living, should receive one-half his monthly pay
for life. If disabled but still capable of earning a living, they were to
receive such monthly sums as the Assembly might allow.

A State and Congressional Board of War Record was instituted, in
which to enter the names of pensioners, and to receive the certificate of
each from his superior officer.!

General Silliman reported to the Assembly that Daniel Ketchum and
Andrew Bennet of Fairfield and Norwalk having deserted the American
cause, had, under a flag of truce from General Howe, arrived at Nor-
walk, " in order to convey their families & effects to other places, with
those of Benjamin Jarvis, Samuel Hitchcock, James Ketchum & Na-
thaniel Williams, who had also deserted their country." General Silli-
man stated he had signified to the enemy that they ought to desist from
sending persons of that character under the protection of a flag of truce,
and now asked for instructions in the matter. The Assembly, " judging
it unsafe to permit such deserters to pass & repass under the protection

* Rcc. State Conn., I, 240, 242. f Rec. State Conn., I, 243.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 243. § Rec. State Conn., I, 246-249.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 347

of a flag of truce," ordered General Silliman " to make it known in the
best & most efifectual way by the return of said flag of truce, that for the
future no such deserters shall be permitted to come into the State under
colour or protection of a flag of truce, on pain & penalty of being de-
tained & dealt with according to the laws of the State ; that the families
of the persons applied for, should not go over to their friends within the
enemy's lines, unless an equal number of prisoners not under arms or
carried off, be returned in exchange, & in that case no property, except
necessary clothing, be supplied to carry with them; & no male person
capable of bearing arms should be permitted to go — least the enemy be
encouraged to make their inhuman incursions into the country, captivate
& carry away families & persons not under arms, contrary to the cus-
toms & usages of civilized nations."*

Severe measures were passed against robberies, which had taken
place in the western part of the State.

Thaddeus Burr was appointed one of a Council of Committee of
Safety to assist his Honor the Governor when the Assembly was not
in session, and given full power to order and direct the militia and navy
of the State, etc.f

A proclamation was ordered to be sent by the Governor of pardon
to all persons who had absconded or deserted from the State, should
they return before August i and take the oath of allegiance to the State
before an Assistant or Justice of the Peace, i

Stephen Thorp of Fairfield was appointed captain in one of the two
battalions to be raised.

Stephen Thorp had at this time allowed his house at " Mill River,
opposite Sasco Hill in Fairfield, to be used by persons who had been
inoculated with the smallpox, which proved a source of danger to a
guard-house nearby." The Assembly ordered the infected persons to be
removed to some place of safety in the northern part of the town.

An appeal was made by about thirty-eight Continental prisoners who
had been detained on Long Island since September without money to
meet their actual necessities, stating that continental money would not
pay them, and that they could not procure coin. The Assembly ordered
the Committee of the Pay Table to allow them in full or in part in hard
money their full pay, from the time they had been captured by the enemy,

* Rec. State Conn., I. 251. f Rec. State Conn., I, 253.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 254.

348 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

to charge this sum to the United States and transmit the same to General
Washington. Among the prisoners was Captain John Couch of Fair-
field and several neighboring officers.*

Captain Elijah Abel of Fairfield was appointed one of a committee to
examine into the conduct of several military officers and companies in
the County of Fairfield, against whom complaints had been made to the
Assembly, t

Major Jonathan Dimon of Greenfield was promoted lieutenant-colonel
in the place of Lieutenant-Colonel Abraham Gould, deceased ; Elijah
Abel was promoted major in Major Dimon's place;:}: Seth Silliman was
commissioned captain; Andrew^ Wakeman lieutenant, and Ebenezer Os-
born ensign of the first company in the Fourth Regiment. § Ebenezer
Hill of Greenfield was appointed captain, Lewis Goodsell lieutenant, and
Daniel Banks ensign of the eighth company in the Fourth Regiment. ||
Peter Penfield was appointed captain, Gideon Beardsley lieutenant, and
P)ille Trowbridge ensign of the sixth company in the Sixteenth Regi-
ment.! Jonathan Silliman was commissioned cornet and Deodate Silli-
man quartermaster in the third troop of light horse in the Third Regi-
ment.**

The Assembly continued in several sessions until the 7th of June.
Meantime the Governor and Council of Safety held frefpient sessions
during the adjournments. On the 23d of May Captain Samuel Squire,
as commissary at Fairfield, was ordered by the Governor, etc., to con-
vey all clothing for the soldiers in his care to some convenient and safe
place near the Continental army ; to purchase one good wagon with
horses for each battalion, loading them with provision and clothing for
the army; to employ one trustworthy man for the care of each wagon,
horse and cattle; to impress, if necessary, boats, teams, etc.. as might be
necessary to convey these stores, and to secure from the principal officers
in each town necessary guards and protection. Mr. Squire was provided
with an assistant to assist the other commissaries of the army, and he
was to direct " what quantity of rum 8i how often it should be delivered
to each soldier at a time. He was also rccpiired to keep an exact ac-
count of disbursements, as well as moneys received. As the troops at
Peekskill were in need of supplies, his first attention was to be given

* Rec. State Conn., I, 257, 258. f '"^t-'<-'- ^^'^^^ Conn., I, 261.

I Rec. State Conn., I, 2O3. t^ Rec. State Conn., I, 266.

\ Rec. Slate Conn., I, 266. H Rec. State Conn., I, 268.

** Rec. State Conn., 1, 277.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 349

to their immediate relief, and to see that the new recruits were properly
furnished with necessities as they took the field.*

On May 29th the stores on board the schooner " Mififlin " were or-
dered to be delivered over to Brigadier-General Silliman or wherever he
should order, t At the same time Captain Smedley, who had received
his commission and sailing orders April 25th, was given liberty " to con-
sort with other privateers or not as he pleased — with three blank com-
missions to fill up for subaltern ofiicers."t

In June of 1777 a committee was appointed by Congress to design a
national flag for the United States as follows: " Resolved, that the flag
of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white;
that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new
constellation." General Washington accompanied this committee to
the house of Mrs. Bettie Ross of Philadelphia, and from a pencil draw-
ing submitted to her his design of our first really independent national
flag, from which the British union of crosses gave place to the constel-
lation of stars. It is believed, and with good reason, that this flag was
designed from General Washington's coat of arms. It was adopted by
Congress June 14, 1777.

Samuel Elliott, Jr., of Boston, agent for Connecticut, was " ordered
to sell a large supply of provisions taken on the prize ships now at
Plymouth by the brig ' Defence,' " at lawful prices.§

On June 30th an order was given to Nathaniel Shaw of New London,
to draw on General Silhman and Thaddeus Burr for five ton of flax.

The first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was held
July 4th in all the principal cities and towns of the Union throughout
the thirteen United States; and our own beloved national flag floated
from the flag-stafifs of the country, and at the head of each United States
regiment.

General Silliman was sent a letter on the 7th of July from the Gov-
ernor and Council approving the measures he had taken touching the
marching of the militia, " & advising him of orders sent that day to
Colonel Enos of the Eirst Regiment." He was also directed " to procure
an exchange of some of our prisoners taken in Middlesex in March,
for some of the enemy's prisoners taken at Danbury." ||

* Rec. State Conn., I, 317. t ^^ec. State Conn., I, 318.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 319. § Rec. State Conn., I. 320.

II Rec. State Conn., I. 344.

350 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

Colonel Enos of the First Regiment was also ordered to station com-
panies: in all the Sound towns. Captain Stephen Thorp was ordered to
collect and march his company to the town of Fairfield.*

The next day, July 8th, Mr. Thaddeus Burr was directed to purchase
a quantity of tow-shirts and trowsers, to be sent to the Connecticut
prisoners in New York, to be delivered to the most needy. t

One Alexander Clark, detained as a prisoner, was sent to the care
of General Silliman.

The selectmen of Milford were ordered to apply to General Silliman
for guns and flints.

A company from New Haven under the command of Colonel Roger
Enos was ordered to be posted at Norwich to defend the sea-coast of
that place, and to obey such orders as General Silliman or his superior
might direct.

On the 25th of July, " Peter Buckley & other church wardens, &
Jonathan Sturges, Thaddeus Burr, &c., at the request of the civil au-
thority, selectmen and committee of inspection at Fairfield, that the
Rev. John Sayer may be released from his confinement at Farmington
& return to Fairfield to his cure, &c." The Governor and Council
granted this application, and Mr. Sayer " was permitted to return to
Fairfield, & there remain within the limits of the town of the first so-
ciety of Fairfield, under a bond given by Jonathan Sturges and Thad-
deus Burr.":}:

On the 2d of August Job Bartram was commissioned captain, David
Wheeler lieutenant, and Samuel Silliman ensign of the first company of
alarm list in the Fourth Regiment. §

During the spring months General Washington had given his ut-
most attention towards strengthening and disciplining his army; and
having left his winter quarters at Morristown, took up a strong posi-
tion at Middlebrook, N. J., where General Howe endeavored to draw
him into an engagement, which Washington was too cautious to risk.
Not succeeding in his scheme, General Howe reimbarked his army on
his vessels, and avoiding the strong fortifications of the Americans on
the Delaware, sailed round to the head of the Chesapeake. Washington,
hoping to save Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress held its
hca(l(juarters, marched rajiidly to interrupt him; but after attempting to

t Rec. State Conn., I, 344. f Rec. State Conn., I, 345.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 358. § Rec. State Conn., I, 361.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 35 1

check the advance of the British at Brandywine Creek, and having his
army attack in front and on the flank, some of his men fled, while the
remainder were forced to retreat. In this engagement Count Pulaski,
a brave Polish officer who had espoused the American cause, fought
with such gallantry that Congress made him a brigadier-general. Five
days after, having rested his troops and inspired them with his own
courageous spirit, Washington again offered battle with the enemy, but
a violent storm set in and arrested the engagement at the onset; and
again his troops were forced to retreat.

After leaving the greater part of his army at Germantown, General
Howe entered Philadelphia on the 25th of July. In the meantime Con-
gress adjourned to Lancaster. Washington now resolved to attack the
enemy at Germantown under cover of night, but in the darkness his
troops became separated and fled in a disorderly retreat.

Flushed with success, General Howe attacked the forts on the Dela-
ware. Twelve hundred Hessians under Count Donop attacked the post
at Red Bank on the New Jersey side, but he was killed, his men fell in
numbers; his ships attacked Fort Mifflin, on an island in the Delaware;
one was blown up, a frigate burned and the others so much injured as
to be forced to retire. Land batteries were erected by the British, and
by a constant fire on the fortifications they were soon destroyed and the
garrison obliged to retreat. Thus the Delaware was opened to the
British.

Meanwhile General Schuyler, by his own express, had sent for troops
on the 2d of August to join the Continental army at Peekskill, in order
to prevent General Burgoyne, who had set out with an army of ten
thousand men from Canada, from advancing on Albany and Peekskill.
He thus hoped to form a junction with the Southern army by cutting
off Washington's line of communication with the eastern States.

The Governor of Connecticut and his Council, then in session at
Lebanon, sent a letter to General Schuyler that they had agreed to for-
ward troops to Peekskill; but that the army at the northward would be
" reinforced from the continental troops at Peekskill, which appeared
much better than to reinforce the northern army with militia on account
of the facility of the march & the steadiness of the continental troops
inured to service, which rendered them preferable to the militia, who
were impatient of a lengthy campaign."*

* Rec. State Conn., I, 361.

352 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

Ticonderoga had been abandoned in July. General Burgoyne
reached Fort Edward about July 27th.

Job Bartram was commissioned captain, David Wheeler lieutenant,
and Samuel Silliman ensign of the first company of alarm list in the
Fourth Regiment of the State militia.*

Intelligence reached the Governor, etc.. on August 4th " that the
enemy had reached Fort Edward, & their fleet at the westward had ar-
rived within the capes of Delaware, which called for their most speedy
and vigorous efforts to prevent the mischief designed. "t

On the 6th of August General Silliman sent to the Governor and
Council copies of letters from General Parsons and Colonel Root with
a copy of a letter from General Washington to General Putnam, '* in-
forming them that the enemy had sailed out of the Delawares on an
eastern course," and requested the militia of General Silliman's brigade.
An express from Peekskill also reached them that the army at Peekskill
had reason to expect an attack at the Highlands. General Silliman in-
formed the Governor " that he had sent two northern regiments of his
brigade to march immediately to Peekskill; also a detachment of Colonel
Enos' regiment in Fairfield County; one company of horse from the 3d
regiment, & the whole of the 5th''; which was approved by letter to
General Silliman. One thousand pounds were placed in the hands of
General Silliman, " to be delivered to the commanding of^cers of his
marching militia towards Peekskill," for the purpose of advancing eigh-
teen shillings to each non-commissioned officer and soldier, and the
remainder for the contingent expenses of the march. A large sum of
money was granted to forward troops from oth.er parts of the State to
Peekskill. Flints, guns, ammunition, clothing and provisions were for-
warded v/ith all possible speed.:]:

A General Assembly was held at Flartford by order of the Governor,
August 13th. No person guilty of high treason or other atrocious crimes
against the State was allowed bail, but held in prison until after trial. §

Assessors were appointed with the selectmen of each town to assess
all kinds of l)usiness on their annual ])r()fils. at llie rate of six per cent.,
to be added to their j)oll and taxable estates. Distilling brandy from
cider wixs forbidden uiuil May next. ||

* Rec. State Conn., I, 361. \ Rec. State Conn., I, 362.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 362, 363. § Rec. State Conn., I, 365.

II Rec. Stale Conn., I, 365.

,777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 353

It was resolved that the Declaration of the Independence of the
thirteen United Colonies assembled at Philadelphia on the fourth of
July, 1776, declaring the " said Colonies to be Free & Independent States,
be recorded at length in the records of this Assembly that the memory
of them be preserved to posterity."*

Two battalions of militia were ordered to be raised from the several
brigades, to consist of seven hundred and twenty-eight men each, in-
cluding commissioned of^cers, to assist the northern army. One half of
the troops of light horse not in actual service were ordered to be de-
tached and held in readiness to march at the shortest notice. A regi-
ment of volunteers of seven hundred men, including officers, was ordered
to be raised for the State.f

General Putnam's request was granted, that the troops be sent on
horseback to Peekskill, the horses to be returned by suitable persons
to assist on their march.

A tax of one shilling on the pound to supply the State treasury was
levied on all polls and taxable estates on the list of 1776.

Ezekiel Hull was commissioned captain, Deodate Silliman lieutenant,
Moses Sherwood cornet, and Thomas Wheeler, Jr., quartermaster of
the second troop of light horse in the Third Regiment.:}:

General Silliman was instructed by the Governor and Council, held at
Hartford August 14th, " to inquire into a suspected forgery of a permit
from General Jones of the sloop ' Sally ' to pass from New York to Rye,
to carry off some Tory people & their effects from thence to New York."

Captain Samuel Squire was directed to attend the vendue prize goods
at Fairfield and purchase such provisions as might be useful to the State,
and that he continue supplying the Fairfield County troops with pro-
visions and clothing.§

Thaddeus Burr, as sheriff of the County of Fairfield, was ordered to
purchase from the merchants of the town such West India goods as they
had in store for the army; and if any merchant did not sell them to him
at reasonable prices he was ordered to seize and impress them, and make
such payments as two or three indifferent persons might allow. ||

Meanwhile General Burgoyne had succeeded in reaching the Hud-
son, and thinking to divert the alarm his victories had given the Ameri-

* Rec. State Conn., I, 367. f Rec. State Conn., I, 371.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 379. § Rec. State Conn., I, 385, 386.

I Rec. State Conn., I, 388.
23

354 HISTORV OF FAIRFIELD [i777

can army on the Hudson, sent a detachment of regulars, Indians and
Tories to besiege Fort Schuyler at the head of the Mohawk River.

The American army had by this time not only been strongly reinforced
at the north and on the Hudson, but General Gates had been placed in
command, having superseded General Schuyler, who had been most
unjustly blamed by Congress. Gates had under him Generals Arnold.
Morgan, Lincoln and others. General Arnold was dispatched with about
eight hundred men to relieve the garrison and to defeat the enemy in
their design upon Fort Schuyler. So noted had Arnold become for his
daring and successful exploits that upon his approach both the English
and Indians fled from the beleaguered fort, leaving their tents, baggage
and artillery behind them.

Hoping to capture large supplies stored at Bennington, Burgoyne
sent a detachment of five hundred regulars, Indians and Tories under
Colonel Baum to seize these stores. Colonel Baum was met on the
morning of the i6th by General Stark with, a force of New Hampshire
militia and recruits gathered along his march. After a hard fought
battle of a few hours the British were defeated, with a loss of their artil-
lery and baggage. Reinforcements of five hundred men under Colonel
Breyman, sent to assist him, were also defeated. In this engagement, it
is said, that the British lost over two hundred men and six hundred pris-
oners, and the Americans about two hundred in killed and wounded.
" Four brass cannon, nine hundred swords, & one thousand stands of
arms were secured by the victors."

When the news of these victories reached the army and the States,
a Hood of patriotism fdled the hearts of every patriot, and many hitherto
indifferent or discouraged offered themselves to the army. It was de-
cided to move nearer the enemy and attack P>urgoyne at Still Water or
Bemis Heights. By the advice of Benjamin h^ranklin. Kosciusko, a
young Polish officer who had espoused the American cause, having re-
ceived a commission in the American army as engineer, superintended
the fortifications raised at Bemis Heights.

Colonel David Dimon. one of the bravest and most energetic officers
of the Revolution, died on the iHth of September, 1777, in the thirty-sixth
year of his age, lamented by all who knew of his great worth and j)romise
as a soldier and citizen of l"\'iirfield. His remains lie in Burial Hill
Cemetery.*

* AnlK-iulix, Dimoii, (jcncalogical.

17771 THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 355

Meanwhile, on the 2d of September, the Governor and Council com-
missioned Peter Griffin to be captain of the volunteer company of rangers
to be raised to guard the Connecticut coast, Long Island Sound and
islands.

At the same time, with hearts filled with gratitude and thanksgiving
for the success of the American arms, the Governor and Council recog-
nizing : " At this critical juncture when the forces of our enemies are
scattered, vigorous efforts by the Divine blessing may dislodge them
from their several posts, every one that loves himself, his family, his
country & posterity is called to exert himself & stir up his several capa-
cities to accomplish this desirable end."*

A bounty of four pounds ten shillings was offered to each able-
bodied man who should enlist to fill up the two battalions already par-
tially raised for the defence of the sea-coast.

Captain Squire and other commissaries were directed to reserve for
the State the hides of beeves killed for the supply of the troops. Econ-
omy was practiced to the fullest extent, for shoes and leather clothing
were among the great necessaries of the army.f

Lieutenant Aaron Hawley of Newfield was granted " 53 pounds
round shot & 100 Lb. weight of grape shot." to defend the fortifications
at Newfield or Stratfield.t

On the 19th of September a severe battle was fought at Stillwater
or Bemis Heights, which lasted all day, in which Morgan's corps against
the Canadians, Tories and Indians, and Arnold's division in an attack on
Burgoyne's advance guard, distinguished themselves for bravery. A
party of men under Lincoln surprised the enemy's posts around Lake
George, and laid siege to Ticonderoga, thus cutting off Burgoyne's
communications with Canada.

Encouraged by letters from Governor Clinton in New York to hold
out, as it was his intention to force his way up the Hudson and place
General Gates between their forces, Burgoyne most impatiently awaited
the expected reinforcements for about two weeks, but although Clinton
succeeded in passing up the Highlands and in reaching Esopus, he found
he was too late, and prudently returned.

Meanwhile Governor Trumbull and the Council of War and Safety
had renewed their efforts to increase the army of the .State for any ser-

* Rec. State Conn., I, 392. f Rec. State Conn., I, 393.

^ Rec. State ( onn., I, 393.

356 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

vice that Washington might require. Recruiting officers were appointed
for each brigade, as well as to secure deserters. Major Elijah Abel was
chosen for the Fourth Regiment.*

Fresh troops were ordered to Peekskill, to be under General Putnam,
for the defence of Connecticut " & the other United States of America."
Another regiment was ordered to Rhode Island, under the command
of Captain Jacob De Witt and Captain Lieutenant Isaac Abel.f

General Putnam having sent an express that an attack was soon ex-
pected in Peekskill, orders were given by the Governor and Council to
Generals Wolcott, Andrew Ward and Silliman to forward the detach-
ments from their brigades to Peekskill, under the command of General
Silliman, with all possible dispatch. +

A General Assembly was held at New Haven on the 9th of October,
and adjourned to Hartford on the nth. Captain Samuel Squire and
Major Elijah Abel represented Fairfield.

An act w-as passed that the estates of aliens or persons inimical to
the independence of the United States of America, who either refused
or negelcted to take the oath of fidelity prescribed by the State, should
not be capable of purchasing or transferring real estate, without a special
license from the government.!

An act was also passed " to encourage Fair Dealers & to punish
sharpers & oppressors," under which only small quantities of clothing,
food and provisions were allowed to be purchased, unless by a license
granted by the Governor and Council or the civil authorities of each
town, " known to be of good character for probity, public spirit & friends
to the freedom & independence of the American States." |

All misuse of licenses, or refusal to accept the State or United States
bills of credit, were to be revoked under a penalty of forfeiting double
the value of any article sold or suffer six months' imprisonment. Nor
were commissaries or any other person allowed to purchase articles for
the army or navy, " without first exhibiting a certificate from the Gov-
ernor & Council, under a penalty of treble the value of the purchased
articles & be liable to imprisonment for six months. "^F

An alteration was made in the law concerning " Indians, Mulattoes,
Negro Servants & Slaves." Under a previous act servants hired for a

* Rec. State Conn., I, 400. f J^<^c. State Conn., I, 406.

I Kcc. Slate Conn., I, 407. j^ Kec. St.ite Conn., I, 412.

II Kcc. Slate Conn., I, 413. 1 Kec. State Conn., I, 414.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 357

time or slaves set at liberty by their masters or owners, in case they
came to want, were to apply to and be supported by their former masters
and owners. But now, before a servant or slave was allowed to be
emancipated, the selectmen of the town in which he lived, were ordered
" to inquire into the age, abilities, circumstances & character of such
servant or slave, & if found to be of good, peaceable character & capable
of self-support the owner or master was 'to receive a certificate of free-
dom, & he & his heirs, executors & administrators were discharged from
maintaining or supporting the servants or slaves thus made free."*

Wilful destruction of magazines, naval or military stores or vessels
by any malicious person was, upon legal conviction, punishable with
death.

A proclamation from Governor Trumbull was sent to the ministers
of the gospel, to be read in the several societies in each town, warning
them against the evils of " a bloody & unnatural war tending to pro-
faneness, injustice, oppression & almost every kind of vice — & as virtue
is the only foundation of happiness to a free people — & to exhort every
person, to avoid oppression, injustice, & every vice; to apply themselves
to industry, economy & every moral & social virtue ; to pay a due atten-
tion to the high obligations they were under to perform the duties of
brotherly kindness & charity; to alleviate each other's burdens; relieve
the distressed & poor — & to discountenance the detestable vices of
monopoly, engrossing, &c., demanding exorbitant prices, considering
them as totally unworthy of election to any public of^ce ; & as even the
vilest pests of society." f

The delegates from the State were instructed " to move the Conti-
nental Congress to immediately draw in & sink their outstanding bills,
except bills less than a dollar; & to tax themselves in a sum to be
ascertained & proportioned for each State by Congress, sufficient to pay
the current annual expenses of the war; & to sink part of the Continental
bills drawn in, by taxes & the Continental loan office ; to lessen the quan-
tity in circulation, & to apportion the whole sum of Continental bills emit-
ted to each State, recommending to them respectively to provide suffi-
cient funds for sinking the same at a reasonable time."t

It was resolved " to provide a Prison Ship for the reception of pris-
oners of war."

* Rec. State Conn., I, 415. f Rec. State Conn., I, 417.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 418.

35i

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

It was also resolved '' to import blankets & coarse woolens into the
State to supply the army to the amount of twenty thousand pounds
sterling from France or elsewhere."*

An order was gi\en to print the sum of five thousand two hundred
and fifty pounds in bills of two, three, four, five and seven pence; and
sixty thousand bills of cash, without interest, of the same tenor of the
last issue, payable on or before October, 1782. Captain Samuel Squire
was made one of a committee to receive " these bills from the Treasurer
& sign the same without fee or reward." t

David Morehouse was commissioned ensign of the Norfield society
train-band in Fairfield in the Fourth Regiment.^

Nathan Seeley of Fairfield was appointed surveyor of lands for the
county. ^

While the Connecticut Assembly was exercising its usual activity in
raising, equipping and sending troops northward and to Peekskill, Gen-
eral Burgoyne had been left by Governor Clinton to fight out his battle
with the American forces.

On October 7th his second battle on Bemis Heights took place,
when he attacked the Americans with great impetuosity, and was met
with a like response by them and was driven back; but rallied and again
renewed the attack. So close was the struggle that a single cannon was
five times taken and retaken, but the Americans secured it at last, and
Colonel Cilley, dedicating it to the States, turned it upon the enemy,
who were driven back with the loss of some of their best oflicers. Gen-
eral Morgan's corps repelled the attack of Colonel Frazier on their fiank
by attacking the British right. General Arnold, who by his gallantry at
Bemis Heights on the 19th of September had the misfortune to have
awakened the jealousy of General Gates, and been most unjustly deprived
of his command, unmindful of all else but victory, mounted his horse,
galloped to the fray and was hailed with acclamations of delight by the
troops, who followed him with renewed impetuosity.

General Frazier, who was one of the bravest British ofliccrs. was
slain. An officer was shot by the side of Burgoyne. who in vain endea-
vored to rally his men. but found it impossible. Finding himself de-
feated, he retired to his camp, llis intrenchments in one (piartcr had
been forced by the Americans, who had succeeded in capturing a part

* Roc. State Conn., I, 418. \ Rec. State Conn.. I, 428.

X Rec. State Conn., 1, 431. 5^ Rec. State Conn.. I, 433.

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 359

of his artillery and ammunition. During the night he secretly withdrew
his army to a height in his rear, and then retreated to Saratoga. Find-
ing himself in an untenable position, surrounded and cut off from a
further advance or retreat, he still held out for one week, when, with no
w-ay to provide his army with recruits or provisions, on the i6th of Oc-
tober he found himself obliged to capitulate. He had thus far lost about
four thousand men, and the remainder (5,642) of the army of ten thou-
sand, with which he had set out from Canada, were taken prisoners of
war. All his camp equipage, cannon, arms and baggage fell into the
hands of the Americans. When this news reached Fort Ticonderoga.
the British garrison left in charge retreated to Canada, and once more
Ticonderoga was in the possession of the victorious Americans.

This victory was joyful news to the United States, and was received
with every demonstration of gratitude and encouragement to hope for
final victory and peace.

While this victory was being achieved, Governor Trumbull and his
Council were engaged at Hartford in carrying out measures for the
benefit of the army and navy, and in exchanging prisoners.

Captain Ebenezer Bartram was granted from the State treasury the
balance due him on account of his services on board the brig " Defence."

On the 1 8th of November General Silliman was ordered to detach
and send forward to General Putnam two hundred men from his brigade,
to join with other companies of the State in forming a full brigade.

The news of Burgoyne's defeat stimulated General Howe to make
every possible endeavor to accomplish a victory over the Americans.
On the night of the 2d of December he held a council of war at the
house of a Quakeress named Darrah, who was a sincere friend to the
American cause. Although Mrs. Darrah retired to her room, she took
advantage of the privilege offered to learn something of the enemy's
movements, and overheard General Howe issue orders for his forces to
be in readiness to march the next night and surprise General Washing--
ton, then at White Marsh. At an early hour she procured a pass to go
to a neighboring mill for a bag of flour, and was so fortunate as to meet
an American officer, whom she informed of Howe's design. The next
day the British set out for Washington's camp, but uj^on their arrival
found the American army strongly entrenched and prepared to receive
them. In vain for three days Howe endeavored to draw Washington
from his entrenchments, but not succeeding, he returned with his troops

360 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i777

to Philadelphia. Mrs. Darrah's absence from home occupied so short
a time as to place her above suspicion, and it was found upon inquiry
that no member of her family had left the house during the night.

Winter now having set in, Washington removed his army to Valley
Forge, a distance of twenty-two miles from Philadelphia, on the south-
west side of the Schuylkill. His patriotic soldiers suffered great hard-
ships during the eight days' march to Valley Forge over rough roads
covered with snow and ice, on which their bruised and bare feet left
bloody prints. Washington now found himself surrounded with Tories,
and as they were unwilling to accept the Continental bills, with which
he was furnished, he found it very difficult to supply his army with
provisions, and was forced, by an order from Congress, to scour the
country within seventy miles and to seize what he needed in the
way of supplies. Meanwhile the British army in Philadelphia readily
purchased with gold and silver, at high prices, all they needed of the
farmers.

The sufferings of Washington's army during that memorable winter
were very great, and need no recapitulation here. The noble soul of
Washington was wrapped in gloom, not only to see his faithful army
thus deprived of absolute necessities, but, harder still, to find himself
censured by the Pennsylvania Assembly for going to Valley Forge, and
by a coldness and want of confidence exhibited in Congress in creating
a new board of war, and placing officers not friendly to him in prominent
places, some even going so far as to propose that he should be super-
seded by General Gates or Lee; but the last humiliation brought forth
a storm of indignation throughout the country, and Congress awoke to
a keen sense of their own neglect of dut}' in not furnishing him with an
ample su])i-»ly of every necessity to maintain an army of i)atriotic sufferers
in the field. Many hours were spent by ^\'ashington in supplicating the
God of battles to help him bear the great burden of the overpowering
situation ; and thus he was, by Divine grace, enabled to bear with patience
the ordeal he was passing through. There are moments in the lives of
such men when God speaks to them in the still small voice of his up-
holding strength, and lifts them above the sting of earthly reproach.
while strong in their purpose to carry out His Divine will. I'ut the dawn
of victory had already openo<l in the north, and soon spread its enliven-
ing rays over the whole land.

Congress set ai)art the iXth of December to be observed as a day

1777] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 361

of public thanksgiving throughout the United States. Governor Trum-
bull sent a printed proclamation of this order to the churches throughout
the State.*

The Connecticut Council of Safety forwarded in the most expeditious
and Hberal manner clothing and stores to Washington. On the loth of
December an order was sent by Governor Trumbull to a Boston firm to
provide sufficient clothing " for four thousand men, with trimmings
crimson, scarlet, bufif or light colours for lapels for the same," to send
to General Washington; and also to apply to them for a proper propor-
tion of blankets, shirts, caps, shoes and stockings, to be sent to Con-
necticut by twenty ox or horse teams, with carts and sleds, to bring such
clothing to the care of Colonel Joseph Trumbull, subject to orders from
Congress; and to fill any extra wagons w4th salt. f

Three hundred copies of the Articles of Confederation, " lately
received from Congress " were ordered to be distributed to each of the
towns in the State without delay.t

The inhabitants of the towns along the Sound and on the Hudson
were kept in a constant state of alarm by the enemy, who in October
penetrated the country to attack General Putnam and Parson's forces,
but were driven off. The next day they attacked Peekskill, but were
again defeated. Along the Sound they frequently landed to pillage, de-
stroy and take live stock. The privateer commanded by Captain
Smedley and the " Oliver Cromwell " by Captain Scth Harding, w'ith
other privateers, galleys and whale-boats, secured several prizes and
prisoners.

The cruelties inflicted on the American prisoners, and the sufTerings
of those confined in the prison ships in New York harbor, where men
in health w^ere forced to sleep in the hold, packed with the diseased, sick
and dying, without proper food, warmth or clothing, by which several
died daily, will always be one of the loathsome and disgraceful blots of
British barbarism. The Old Prison Ship, as it was called, seemed but
one way of depleting the American army. The few sick and starving who
escaped to their friends were but skeletons of their former selves. The
brutal and beastly acts of hired soldiers, hired only to destroy and kill.
are the natural results of war, but ofHcers high in command are expected

* Rec. State Conn., I, 462. f Rec. State Conn., I, 466.

J Rec. State Conn., I, 467.

362 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i778

to possess civilized qualities, which should raise them above inhuman
deeds to a fallen foe.

On the 29th of October the Hon. John Hancock, who for over two
years had been president of the Continental Congress, having resigned
his position, passed through Fairfield on his way to Boston, escorted by
a party of light dragoons.

1778. This year opened with brighter prospects for the American
cause. The victories over the British and the destruction of their north-
ern army had aroused the Americans, after many discouragements, days
of gloom among the people and suffering among the soldiers, to a more
resolute defence of their country, and to a more courageous and fuller
sense of their hope of independence. The vigilance and unwearied labors
of the States, and none more so than Connecticut, and no town more
active than Fairfield, were now prepared to send into the field thousands
of men, well armed with muskets of the best quality, an ample supply of
camp equipage, artillery and ammunition. The whole United States
united in one determined resolve to conquer their oppressors.

No sooner had intelligence of Burgoyne's defeat reached France,
than, on the 6th of February, the French King and his ministry exhib-
ited their delight by sending for the American plenipotentiaries. The
indefatigable efforts of Benjamin Franklin were rewarded by an intima-
tion that France was now preparing to recognize the independence of
the American States, and to form with them a treaty of alliance. Mr.
Silas Dean left France without delay with dispatches to place before
Congress from the Court of France.

This was joyous news to Washington in his winter quarters at Valley
Forge, and to the whole country.

Governor Trumbull called together the General Asscml^ly at Hart-
ford, on the 8th of January.

Barrack masters were a]:)p()intcd in each town to provide winter
quarters for the troops sent to defend the towns, either in barracks,
houses, rooms or any other dwelling. Twenty jurymen were ordered
to be appointed annually for the town of Fairfield.*

Congress having recommended to the several States that subscrip-
tions should be opened in each town for supplies to carry on the war on
loan office certificates, the Assembly voted to issue certificates to per-
sons ready to loan money to the Continental Loan Office of notes not

* Rec. Slate Conn., I, 471.

1778] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 363

less than two hundred dollars. Nathan Biilkley, Esq., was appointed
to open subscriptions in the town of Fairfield.*

Orders were issued to fill up the battalions to be raised by voluntary
enhstment for three years, or to January, 1779; if not filled by February
20th, " the residue shall be raised by a peremptory detachment of able-
bodied men, liable to military duty out of the State, from the towns
which had not filled up their quota. A bounty of £5 6.^. St/, was granted
to each soldier who should enlist until January of I779.t

The selectmen and their committees in each town were ordered to
furnish each officer and soldier belonging to the town " one hunting-shirt
or frock, two linen shirts, two pair of linen overalls, one pair of stock-
ings & two pair of good, well-made shoes; & half as many blankets as
had been ordered in April of the previous year." Even when not able
to fill this order, " the selectmen were empowered to seize & impress
such articles with just payment to persons who could conveniently spare
them." If any town should neglect to comply with this order in due
time, '' they & each of them shall be assessed by the General Assembly in
such sum as shall be just & reasonable." Companies of volunteers
were ordered to be raised in each of the sea-port towns." One com-
pany of twenty-four men, including one sergeant and one corporal
under the command of a lieutenant, was ordered to be stationed at
Fairfield.t

Prisoners taken from the enemy, for the safety of the State, were
ordered to be confined in prison ships, prisons or elsewhere. §

Clothing and refreshments were ordered to be sent to the American
prisoners in captivity at New York, Long Island or elsewhere. ||

General Silliman and Major Elijah Abel were appointed two of a
committee respecting the situation and contemplated improvements of
Yale College.l

Abijah Morehouse was commissioned lieutenant and Isaac Jennings
ensign of the first militia company; Albert Sherwood lieutenant and Wil-
liam Wakeman ensign of the seventh company of the alarm list; Stephen
Wakeman captain, Joseph Bennet lieutenant, and Ebenezer Morehouse
ensign of the sixth company of militia ; Ephraim Lyon captain, Samuel
Thorp lieutenant and David Bradley ensign of the thirteenth mihtia com-

* Rec. State Conn., I, 472, 473. t ^^ec. State Conn., I, 474.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 475, 476, 478. § Rec. State Conn., I, 4S2.

I Rec. State Conn., I, 482. 1[ Rec. State Conn., I, 4S3.

364 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1778

pany; John Gray captain, Nehemiah Hull lieutenant, and Andrew Barlow
ensign of the ninth militia company, all in the Fourth Regiment.*

The list of polls and taxable estates at Fairfield returned to the As-
sembly in October, 1777, and January, 1778, M'ere £49,244 10^. id., and
the fourfold assessments £1,758 io.y.

Several cases of persons confined in jail in Fairfield, and other Fair-
field men confined elsewhere for treasonable acts, were liberated upon
paying costs, the legal fine and taking the oath of allegiance to the State.
The case of David Washburn of Milford, sentenced to death by the Supe-
rior Court of Fairfield, must have excited special interest. He appealed
to the Assembly for a commutation of his sentence, which was granted, t

On the 15th of January Lieutenant Joseph Squire was commissioned
captain of marines on the brig " Defence." Captain Samuel Smedley of
the ship " Defence " was granted £400 on account from the treasury. it

The overtures for a treaty of alliance with the United States, made
to Benjamin Franklin by the French Court, were happily adjusted to
the satisfaction of Franklin and his associates. Dr. Franklin and Silas
Dean had been introduced to the French King as ambassadors from
North America. " On this occasion they rode in elegant coaches at-
tended with a suite, & with domestics in superb French liveries. Upon
reaching the royal court-yard martial music struck up ; the French flags
were lowered as a solemn salute; the soldiers were under arms accom-
panied by all the officers. They were received in the inner palace by
Les Cents Suisses, the major of which announced: ' Les ambassadeurs
des treize Provinces Unis ' (The Thirteen United Provinecs). Upon
being ushered into the royal presence, the college of Paris, the bishops,
the nobility, ministers, foreign and domestic, and ladies arose to salute
them. Franklin was observed to weep. The Count de Vergennes ap-
proached him, and, by waiving certain forms, immediately presented him
to the King, who, a rAnglaisc, took the ambassador by the hand, and
viewing his credentials entered into conversation. . . . On the i6th
Monsieur Gerard, royal syndic of Strasburg. and Secretary of his
Majesty's Council of State, waited upon our plenipotentiaries, and in-
formed them, by order of the King, ' That after long & full considera-
tion of our affairs and propositions in councils, it was decided, tK: his
Majesty has determined to acknowledge our independence, & make a

* Rcc. State Conn., I, 485, 486. \ Rcc, State Conn., I, 490, 493. 49S. 499. 50S.

X Rcc. State Conn., I, 511, 515.

1778] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 365

treaty with us of amity & commerce; & that his Majesty was determined
not only to acknowledge, but to support our independence by every
means in his power; that his doing so might involve him in war with
all its expenses & losses, yet he should not expect any compensation
from us on this account; that he was not wholly unselfish in danger, but
that he felt the power of England should be diminished by our separa-
tion from it; that we should make no separate terms of peace for our-
selves, & if he engaged in a war on our account, he should ask us, " That
we, in no peace to be made with England, should give up our inde-
pendence & return to the obedience of that government." '

" Upon such principles & by virtue of full power by the King of
France to Monsieur Gerard, Secretary of his Majesty's Council of State,
dated the 30th of January, 1778, this minister, with our plenipotentiaries,
signed at Paris, 6th February, 1778, a treaty of alliance & commerce
between the crown of France & the United States of America, almost in
the very terms in which the American plenipotentiaries had been in-
structed by Congress."*

Congress, well pleased with this treaty, without hesitation at once
passed resolutions not to enter into any treaty with Great Britain. About
the same time the British ministry enacted two laws, one that no future
tax should be imposed upon the colonies; and appointed commissioners
to grant them '' almost any terms short of absolute independence." The
American Congress refused even to confer with the commissioners " be-
fore the British army was withdrawn, & the independence of the country
was acknowledged." England now declared war against France, reso-
lute in her determination, even at a great sacrifice of life and money, to
subdue the States, in which she had hardly a hope of ultimate success.

The Americans were greatly stimulated by their alliance with France,
and although their finances were in a depleted condition, large bounties
were offered for recruits, and every efifort put forth to supply the army
with the necessities for prolonging the war. Not one loyal son or daughj
ter even hinted of peace with Great Britain.

Governor Trumbull called the General Assembly together at Hart-
ford, February 12th. Too ill to be present himself, he strongly urged
by letter the absolute necessity for a large taxation, " as the only ef-
fectual & safe method of extricating ourselves from our present diffi-

* Moore's Diary of Revolution. Articles of Alliance etc., p. 571. New York Journal July, 6,
1778.

366 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i778

culties, & of giving value to our currency. Our debts must be paid, &
all men v^-ill allow that it is more easy to pay a nominal sum when money
is plenty & cheaply earned, than when it is the scarcest & consequently
the dearest article." He laid before the Assembly the absolute necessity
of doing away with the regulation of prices at the last convention in New
Haven, and to offer good and fair prices to the farmers as an induce-
ment to till their lands; and to merchants so that they might not be led
*' to risk their fortunes on a small & precarious prospect of gain."*

Several conventions were held by the New England States to adopt
uniformity in prices of labor and other industries, to regulate the rates
of State value of money and of bills of credit, and of mutual assistance
in the defence of each other, as well as to supply and equip the army in
the best possible way.

Acting upon these recommendations, the Assembly immediately
passed laws regulating and fixing prices for articles of labor, manufac-
tures, internal produce and commodities imported from foreign parts;
and that the various kinds of labor of farmers, mechanics and others
should not exceed the rate of seventy-five per cent, advance on the prices
they were respectively at in the same places in this State in the various
seasons of the year 1774. t

These laws were ordered to be printed and six thousand copies cir-
culated in the towns by special carriers.

An act was passed to raise six battalions of volunteers. " to be held
in constant readiness to march upon the shortest notice upon any tour
of duty, wherever they might be called until March, 1779." To each
brigade one company of matrosses or artillenmien was ordered to be
raised forthwith by enlistment of fifty men. including officers, out of the
several brigades, to be commanded by one cai)tain, one captain-lieu-
tenant, one lieutenant fire-worker, four sergeants, four corporals, one
drum and fife, with four field-pieces, one ammunition wagon and horses,
and be furnished with an ami)le supply of ammunition by the Brigadier-
General of the brigade.:}:

By an order from Congress, followed by a proclamation from the
Governor, the 22d of April was appointed to be observed as a day of
solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer throughout the State. §

By request of General Parsons orders were sent to the Assistants of

* Rec. State Conn., I, 521. f Rec. State Conn., I, 524-528.

X Rec. State Conn., I, 533. ^ ^'^cc. State Cunn., I, 536.

1778] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 367

the counties of Fairfield and Litchfield to supply or to impress extra
teams for carrying provisions from Connecticut to New York or other
places on the North River, for the use of the troops under the command
of General Washington.*

Such v^^as the spirit of unrest among many people that a law was
enacted to prevent persons in and out of the State from employing so
many oxen to carry their effects from place to place, as they not only
" lessened the business of agriculture, but shortened the supply of beef
for the use of the army." No one was allowed to leave the State or pass
through it without taking the oath of fidelity.

Upon the application of Amos Hubbell and others of Newfield Har-
bor to have the place for their defence changed to one nearer the divid-
ing line between Fairfield and Stratford, it being a better situation for
observation to prevent incursions from the enemy, the Assembly ordered
General Silliman to station a sergeant's guard near the dividing line
mentioned, t

A memorial of redress was presented to this Assembly from the
sufi^erers in the town of Fairfield who, " when the British attacked Dan-
bury had plundered their houses of almost everything they had, & had
taken their cattle & horses, whereby some persons were reduced to dis-
tressing circumstances, which before lived comfortably." Lemuel San-
ford of Redding, Colonel Thomas Fitch and Thaddeus Betts, Esq., of
Norwalk, were appointed a committee to investigate such cases and make
a report to the next Assembly.:!:

On the 30th of March the Governor and Council, who had held
several sessions at Hartford since February i8th, commissioned " John
Odell of Fairfield lieutenant of a company of twenty-four matrosses."
The next day Captain Seth Harding, on the " Defence," was ordered to
pay to Justus Jennings of Fairfield, who had lost a leg in an action in
Boston Bay, his full wages of £54.1

A town meeting was held at Fairfield, January 2d, and alarm posts
fixed to call the militia together, one at the Meeting-house Green in
Fairfield, one on the parade ground at Stratfield, and one at Jesup Wake-
man's in Greens Farms. At a town meeting held February 2d. General
Silliman was requested to order forty-two men to enlist and guard the
coast at Stratfield, Kinsey's Point, Frost Point and Compo each night

* Rec. State Conn.. I, 539. t ''^ec. State Conn., I, 545.

I Rec. State Conn., I, 551. § Rec. State Conn., I, 577, 57S.

368 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i778

from sunset to sunrise, each man or guard to be paid six shillings. March
25th it was voted to keep up the town guard until June at the east of
the town; and on July ist the civil authorities and the selectmen were
requested to order ten men in addition to the former guard to mount
guard each night at such places as directed, each man to be paid five
Continental dollars each night. At the same meeting Thaddeus Burr
and Jonathan Sturges were appointed a committee to petition the
General Assembly " to order some vessel or vessels of force to guard
our sea-coast against the designs of the enemy during the summer."*

The efforts of the British to break the spirit of the colonists by de-
stroying our shipping and commerce, by burning and destroying our towns
and manufactories, by blocking our harbors and by depleting our army by
confinement in their loathsome prison ships, aroused a still stronger and
more resolute spirit to drive them from the country. The Southern
States, Virginia and the Middle States united with New England in re-
newed endeavors to place a large body of troops early in the field, well
equipped and ready to defeat the enemy. In reality the British had
gained nothing but temporary occupancy, which by no means had con-
quered the country. They had lost heavily in the destruction of their
northern army, and they could not fail to realize that their cause was
weakening. It was therefore, decided to concentrate their scattered
army in and around New York.

Meanwhile the sufferings of Washington and his army at Valley
Forge had drawn to a close. Upon hearing of the treaty with France
the heart of the Commander-in-Chief was filled with gratitude. His
prayers of supplication for Divine help had been answered, and the spring
opened with anticipations of brighter days. General Lafayette had been
sent with twenty-one hundred men to Barren Hill on the Schuylkill, about
twelve miles from Valley Forge, to hold the foraging parties of the enemy
in check, as well as to be prepared for any sudden attack. General Howe
resolved to intercept his movements, but Lafayette, learning of his
scheme, by a skilful manoeuvre retreated to Washington's camp, who
hailed his coming with expressions of great pleasure.

On the morning of the 5th of May Washington made preparations to
leave Valley Forge. He gave orders for setting apart the following day
to be spent in grateful acknowledgments of God's goodness and mercy,
and to celebrate His divine interposition in the treaty made with France.

* I'^airficld Town Records.

1778] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLU'IION 369

He gave orders to assemble the several brigades with their chaplains to
offer up thanksgivings and to have a discourse delivered suitable to the
occasion. The firing of a cannon at half-past ten o'clock was to be given
as a signal for the men to be under arms, be prepared to have their dress
and arms inspected, and be formed into brigades and battalions by their
commanding of^cers. At half-past eleven another cannon was to be
fired as a signal to march, and a third cannon fired as a signal to dis-
charge thirteen cannon, followed with a running fire of the infantry until
another signal should be given, when the entire army were to give an
Huzzah ! Long life to the King of France ! Then another signal and an
Huzzah ! Long life to the friendly European powers ! followed by a run-
ning fire, and Huzzah for the American States.*

This was a day indeed of great exultation in Washington's army.
The hunger, want and sufferings of the winter were forgotten, " & every
heart was filled with gratitude to the French King," and every mouth
spoke in his praise.

Governor Trumbull was again in health to open the General Assembly
held at Hartford on May 14th. Mr. Thaddeus Burr and Captain Squire
represented Fairfield. A long list of Justices of the Peace w^ere appointed
for Fairfield and the county. t

Congress having recommended the States to confiscate the estates
of persons inimical to the independence and liberties of the United States,
the Assembly ordered " that the real and personal estates of persons
living or belonging to the State, wdio had gone over to & joined the
enemy, or any who should join them after this law was passed, should
be confiscated to the use of the State," and the selectmen in each town
w^ere required to report all such inimical persons to the Justices of the
Peace, for a legal adjustment of their debts after confiscation. :t

Monday, the 8th of June, was appointed to be " a day for a general
muster of all the militia & alarm list companies within the State. "§

Two regiments of 728 men each and three companies of light dra-
goons were ordered to be detached from their regiments, militia com-
panies, the alarm lists and independent companies of militia, to be held
in readiness to march to the posts assigned them. ||

Owing to a great scarcity of money, the Assembly voted " forthwith

* Moore's Diary Revolution, p. 574. New Jersey C'.azette, May 13th, 1778.
f Rec. State Conn., H, 7. t ^^^^- State Conn,, II, q.

§ Rec. State Conn.. II, 15. || Rec. State Conn., II, 15.

370 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ['778

to borrow one hundred thousand pounds in sums not less than ten pounds,
at six per cent, interest per annum, payable in two years after date.*

The Marine Committee, having requested his Excellency the Gov-
ernor " that a suitable packet be provided from this State to send dis-
patches to France," it was resolved that the " Spy," commanded by Cap-
tain Robert Niles, " be got immediately & made ready for that purpose."!

The selectmen of Fairfield having discovered that several persons in
the western part of the State were purchasing a large number of cattle,
under the pretext of driving them to New Jersey, but believed to be for
the use of the enemy, the Commissary-General was ordered to seize such
cattle for the use of the United States. ^

An embargo was laid upon all kinds of grain, provisions, clothing
and goods within the State, except for the use of the United States.

A tax of one shilling on the pound w-as levied on all the polls and
ratable estates of the inhabitants of the State given in 1777, to be paid
into the treasury September 1, 1778. An abatement was ordered in cases
of indigent persons and others of one-twentieth part of said town's quota,
not able to pay so large a tax.

Mr. Thaddeus Burr was appointed one of the Governor's Council of
Safety. §

Three hundred and fifty copies of an address of Congress to the in-
habitants of the United States of America, dated May 9th, 1778, was
ordered to be printed and sent to the several ministers of the gospel in
the State, to be read in their respective congregations. ||

Mr. Thaddeus Burr presented to the Governor, etc., sitting at Hart-
ford, May 29th, an account " for building the battery & barracks, & for
mounting the cannon & field pieces at the Grover Hill Point in Fair-
field," which was directed to be paid.*!

The movement of the British army from Philadelphia to New York
was not accomplished without opposition. General Howe having ap}ilied.
May 24th, for permission to return to England, his army passed under
the control of General Clinton of New York. Howe began the evacua-
tion of Philadelphia with his entire army June i8th. He was pursuecl
by Washington, who had been reinforced during the sjiring, and his army
in a fairly good condition, having been trained and disciplined by Baron

* Rcc. State Conn., II, 16. f Rec. State Conn., II, 17.

t Rec. State Conn., H, 17. ^ Rec. State Conn., II, 18.

I Rec. State Conn., II, 19. U Rec. State Conn., II, 88.

1778] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 37 1

Steuben, a brave and skilful Prussian officer. On the 28th of June he
came up with and attacked the British at Monmouth, as they were about
leaving New Jersey. General Lee conducted the attack, but not pos-
sessing the qualifications of a military genius, after making several mis-
takes fell back; his troops became panicstricken while fleeing from the
pursuing enemy. Washington came up with their rear guard, and angrily
rebuking Lee, rallied his broken regiments and led them against the
enemy. Although the battle lasted through the day, the Americans held
the field when night came on, expecting to renew their attack in the
morning. The British lost between five and six hundred men, and the
Americans 229. The day having been exceedingly warm, many of the
Hessians sank from exhaustion, refused to march in such heat, and de-
serted in numbers. When morning dawned Washington found the
enemy had silently retreated in the night. Clinton and his army marched
to Sandy Hook, and from there were conveyed to New York by British
ships of war. Washington led his officers and army through New Jersey
by way of the Hudson to White Plains, and encamped upon the same
ground on which he engaged Howe in 1776.

The Connecticut towns along the Sound now had cause for constant
alarm, anticipating an attack at any moment. Special couriers were re-
commended by the Governor and Council to the New England States
to open a regular and complete channel of communication with the Con-
tinental Congress.

Meanwhile a fleet of thirteen ships and four thousand soldiers from
France, under the command of Count D'Estaing, had reached Virginia,
and were received with a warm and joyous welcome. General Gerard,
ambassador from France, reached Philadelphia July nth. and was sa-
luted with a military welcome and expressions of great joy by the people.
The design of D'Estaing was to make a combined blockade upon the
English at New York, but the pilots refusing to take their largest ships
over the bar at Sandy Hook, it was decided to sail and attack the Eng-
lish army of 6,000 men under General Pigot at Newport.

On the 24th of July Governor Trumbull and his Council received a
letter from General Sullivan asking for help, as Rhode Island was threat-
ened with an immediate attack from the enemy. Letters from General
Washington on the 22d and 24th of July, from White Plains, informing
them " that the French Admiral, not having been able to get into New
York, for want of sufficient depth of water," etc., was sailing to New-

372 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i773

port, and requested aid to cooperate with the French fleet; that he him-
self was sending a detachment from his army, etc. Pie requested pilots
for the fleet, and five hundred men to be sent to Providence. The Gov-
ernor and Council immediately dispatched orders by express to furnish
pilots to send off the fleet, and for " Captain Pitkin w'ith his company &

Captain with his company at Fairfield & Captain Tyler with his

company of matrosses, be ordered forthwith to march to Providence &
join the forces under command of General Sullivan."* A regiment was
ordered, August ist, to be detached from the standing regiments of the
State to cooperate with nine other companies already raised.* At the
same time orders w^ere sent to the State agent, Samuel Eliot, at Boston,
" to sell the prize goods which had been taken by the ships ' Oliver
Cromwell ' & ' Defence ' into Boston. "t

On the 6th of August Captain Smedley of the ship " Defence " was
ordered to man, fit and clear his ship from Boston, " to sail immediately
on a cruise of discretion along the coast from Boston southward. "^

D'Estaing entered the harbor of Newport early in August, and block-
ading the English fleet forced them to sink some of their frigates. Ad-
miral Byron soon arrived with the British fleet from New York, and
D'Estaing sailed out to meet him ; but just as an engagement was about
to take place a fierce storm set in and separated the two fleets. After
the storm abated D'Estaing returned to Newport, w^hile Byron returned
with his fleet for New York. The New England militia failed to reach
Newport in time to cooperate with Sullivan's forces. D'Estaing refused
to await them, and against all efforts made to detain him by Lafayette,
Green and Sullix'an, he sailed for Boston to repair his disabled ships.
General Sullivan was now obliged to defend himself with such forces as
he had at command. Meanw^hile the British, having received large re-
inforcements, attacked him on the 29th of August. Sullivan made a
gallant defence, 1)ut was forced to retreat, and withdrew his forces in
the night without detection b)- the enemy.

Governor Trumbull and Council ordered a reinforcement of six com-
panies to be sent to Sullivan; and fearing an attack on New London,
two regiments were sent without delay to their assistance. §

The General Assembly met at New Haven, October 8th. Mr. Thad-
deus Burr and Captain Sanniel S(|uire were present as deputies from

* Rec. .Slate Conn., II, 100-106. f Rec. State Conn., 11, 101-104.

X Rec. State Conn., II, io8. § Rec. State Conn., II, 112.

1778] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 373

Fairfield. Orders were issued that companies from several brigades should
be stationed in the towns along the Sound. Two companies, " by peremp-
tory detachment," were ordered from the Thirteenth and Sixteenth Regi-
ments in the Fourth Brigade of militia, to be stationed one month at
Fairfield and Stratford.*

The Assembly adjourned to Hartford on the 21st of October. An
act was passed to prevent the growing evil of horse-racing, " as vices
ruinous to individuals & detrimental to the public weal." " That the
owner or owners of every horse or horse kind employed in horse racing
within the State, upon which stakes, bets or wagers were held, should
forfeit such horses; & those engaged in bets of forty shillings should for-
feit the same in L money, & in all other cases the value of the bet or
wager, "t

" October, 1778. An act was passed to prevent the slave trade, kidnap-
ping & decoying from this State any persons free or enslaved, and a
penalty for fitting out a vessel for such a purpose levied of £500. Every
person received on board as a slave £50. Suspected persons placed under
bonds of £1,000, & damages to the kidnapped persons. The second
house added, in case of failure to pay bonds, that they should be whipped
not less than thirty stripes. No negro under 18 years of age allowed to
be sold out of the State without his consent, declared at two different
times before two justices, unless convicted of a crime, under a penalty
of fifty pounds. All births of slaves since the Act of Emancipation must
be recorded."

A tax of two shillings on the pound was levied on all polls and rat-
able estates in the State given in for 1777, with the additions, to be paid
into the treasury by February i, 1779. The authorities and selectmen
of each town were instructed to make just abatements where persons
were found not able to pay this tax.t

The selectmen of the town of Fairfield presented a petition to the
Assembly urging a restoration of powder and ball to their magazine,
which had been exhausted " by reason of their being on the frontier, &
the militia having been often called out for the defence of the State."
The Assembly ordered out of the State stores " thirty pounds of musket-
powder & twenty pounds of lead."§

* Rec. State Conn., II, 124. f Rec. .State Conn., II, 133.

X Rec. State Conn., II, 135. § Rec. State Conn., II, 153.

CHAPTER XIV

(Part Third)

December 3d. The Governor and Council ordered that the prize
money be paid in favor of Captain Smedley, due to the officers and crew
of the ship " Defence," for the prizes sent into CaroHna, and to draw on
Mr. EHott of Boston for the same. General Silliman at the same time
was directed " to fit up a small vessel to cruise the Sound, & also to
make suitable provisions to supply a proper guard for the battery at
Fairfield."*

The battle at Newport had not been of any special advantage to
either of the combatants. In November the British turned their atten-
tion towards the valley of the Susquehannah. Wyoming was attacked
by a body of British, Iroquois Indians and Tories. The barbarities
practised upon the inhabitants of this beautiful town were horrible. Men,
women and children were tomahawked, and endured the most frightful
tortures until death came to their relief. Those of the inhabitants who
escaped fled to other settlements for safety, but few survived the sufter-
ings of their flight and some were lost and starved in the mountains and
caverns, while children died from fatigue and exposure. Cherry Valley
suffered in like manner before November ended. An expedition by
General Clark of Virginia was undertaken against the western tribes,
but he was forced by the British Governor of Detroit to give up the
American post at Vincennes. Not long after General Clark succeeded
in retaking Vincennes.

According to a resolution of Congress for a general thanksgiving
throughout the country, Governor Trumbull appointed the 30th of
December to be observed as a day of thanksgiving in Connecticut. He
issued a most interesting proclamation to be read in all the churches
within the State; "in which the ministers & public officers were called
upon to exercise a fatherly, affectionate tenderness & compassion towards
the people, by carrying on noble designs & views; to maintain the just
honors God hath put upon liis law, his gospel, his day, his institutions
& the stewards of his house; & to suppress whatever was immoral &

* Rec. State Conn., II, 167.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 375

profane. The ministers were, as teachers of the law, the messengers of
glad tidings of great joy, are to show the law to be holy, just &: good;
to thunder the terrors thereof against the wicked that they may be afraid
to transgress; to sound the gospel trumpet loud & shrill that all may hear
& rejoice; & to be examples by their lives & ministrations of the love
of God, our Saviour & the Souls of men; that the Holy Spirit might
quicken, enlighten & enliven them in their labor of love. Thus our Moses
& our Aaron, walking hand in hand, will lead the people in the way of
wisdom to happiness here & to everlasting life."*

1779. The General Assembly met at Hartford, January 7th. Stringent
methods were adopted to compel correct returns of personal property
and real estate to be taxed. An act was also passed to compel furnishing
necessary supplies for the army to the Quartermaster-General. A tax
of two shillings on the pound was levied on all polls and taxable estates
given in for 1778, with the additions by April ist.f

Congress passed a resolution on the 2d of January that the United
States should be called upon to pay in their respective quotas of fifteen
million dollars in the year 1779, and six million dollars annually for
eighteen years from and after the year 1779, as a fund for sinking the
emission and loans of the United States to the 31st of December, 1778,
inclusive. On the 5th of January Congress fixed the proportion of the
loan to be raised by Connecticut at seventeen hundred thousand dollars.
The Assembly resolved to comply with this adjustment when the quota
of the other States should be adjusted; the money to be placed to the
credit of the State on interest of six per cent, per annum, " although
the sum was considered more than the just proportion of the State."
In order to carry out this resolution, a tax of three shillings was levied
on the pound on the polls and ratable estates within the State given in
for 1778, with tihe additions, to be paid into the treasury on the 20th of
May; and a further tax of two shillings on the pound on the said list of
1778, to be paid into the treasury December ist.

A tax of twelve pence on the pound was laid upon all the polls and
taxable estates of 1777, to be levied and paid into the treasury by the
first day of April. Abatements were ordered to be made for persons of
small property not able to pay so large a tax.:}:

Prisoners of war confined in the jail at Fairfield, with those from

* Rec. State Conn., II, 165. f Rec. State Conn., I, 172-175.

I Rec. State Conn., II, 177.

376 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i77q

Other counties, were ordered to be removed to the Counties of Hartford
and Windham, upon fheir bond witli surety to pay, to be confined in
such places with people to labor as the Governor and Council should
direct.

A law- was again passed for the maintenance of the families of officers
and soldiers serving in the battalions by the towns in which they enlisted.

In order to induce seamen to sail on the ships " Oliver Cromwell "
and " Defence," it was agreed to pay them out of the prize money they
should take, the same dividends after the deduction of necessary expenses,
etc., which has been usual " among the crews of private vessels of force
of the same burthen."*

Owing to the enhanced prices for the necessities of life, and the com-
plaints of officers and soldiers throughout the army, who had been but
scantily clothed and provisioned, the Assembly ordered that forty-five
thousand pounds lawful money be paid out of the treasury by April ist
to the officers and soldiers serving in the State infantry and artillery in-
cluded in the State quota, " & not that of any other State " ; and a further
sum of sixty thousand pounds be paid them by the first of December. +

Companies of volunteers for the protection of the sea-coast w^ere
ordered to be stationed in each town, who should do the duty of artillery-
men, or any other necessary duty. One company of fifty men, with
officers, was ordered to be stationed at Fairfield; and, as an encourage-
ment to enlist in this service, a bounty of eight pounds w^as offered to
each non-commissioned officer and private soldier who should furnish
himself with a blanket, firearms and a bayonet. They were also to be
exem])t from taxes until August. The monthly pay w-as fixed, for a
captain, at fi8; a lieutenant, fi2; a sergeant, £7 4s.; a corporal, £6 12.?.:
a drummer and fifer, £6 i2s., and a private, £6.+

Two armed vessels were ordered to be fitted out as soon as possible,
to cruise the Long Island Sound.

A premium of forty shillings v^^as ordered to be paid to the non-
commissioned officers and soldiers who had been in actual service since
October of i777.§

While these heavy taxes were laid upon the inhabitants of Fairfield
and the other towns in the State, the inhabitants of Connecticut were
sf)licitcd to help the impoverished and starving people of Rhode Island,

* Rcc. State Conn., II, 179. + Kec. State Conn., II, 179.

t Rcc. State Conn.. II. 181, 182. t^ Rec. State Conn.. II, 183.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 377

who had fled into Connecticut from tlie cruelties and oppression? of the
British in and around Newport. Donations for their reUef were ordered
by the Assembly to be taken up by the ministers in each congregation
throughout the State. These contributions consisted of clothing, grain
or articles of produce of all kinds. Fairfield furnished 1,500 bushels of
grain.*

Stephen Tucker was commissioned lieutenant, David Flint cornet,
and Abel Grosvenor quartermaster of the second troop of light horse
in the Fourth Regiment. f

During the winter of I77(S and 1779 General Putnam took up his
headquarters at Redding, wdiich he regarded as a safe and desirable place
in which to winter his forces and enable him to hold communication with
the forces stationed on the Hudson, the towns bordering Long Island
Sound and the eastern part of the State. His men suffered greatly for
want of clothing and comfort, but Putnam inspired them with his own
spirit of self-denial and courage.

At a meeting of the Governor and Council at Hartford, February ist,
two lieutenants were appointed to be raised for the company of artillery-
men at Fairfield.^

Captain Samuel Smedley of t'he ship " Defence " was ordered Feb-
ruary 17th to accompany the ship " Oliver Cromwell " to sail on an
expedition on the Sound against the enemy in company with the Con-
tinental ships and troops. " And that the share of plunder, etc., shall
be the same as other ships."

On March 22d Brigadier-General Silliman was given an order for
.3,000 flints and five hundred pounds of lead; and to be furnished with
material for repairing the battery at Black Rock.§

The General Assembly met at Hartford, April 7th. An act was
passed for supplying the army with provisions and necessities. The
selectmen were ordered to take and send in from the heads of families,
under oath, the number of members in each family and the amount of
grain and flour in their possession ; and after allowing a liberal supply
for each family, the rest was to be held by the State commissaries of
each town for the use of the army and such of their families as were in
need. I In fact, the commissaries were allowed to seize, wit'hout oppress-

* Rec. State Conn., II, 187. t Rec. .State Conn., II, 192.

I Rec. State Conn., II, 213. § Rec. State Conn., II, 216, 219.

I Rec. State Conn., II, 224.

378 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

ing the people, any necessary articles or provisions needed for the army,
always allowing a just compensation.

Orders were issued to fill up the several battalions belonging to the
State. A bounty of sixty pounds was offered to six hundred volunteers
by Congress, who should enlist on or before May; '* & be entitled to
the same wages, clothing & refreshments as those in the Connecticut
Line in the Army of the United States." The State also offered a bounty
of twenty pounds to each volunteer. These troops were ordered to be
raised by the commanding officer of each regiment and by the officers
of each company out of the train-bands and alarm lists of each town.

A general complaint of neglect by Congress to supply the army with
money, clothing and provisions had dampened the ardor of the soldiers
to re-enlist; and the depreciation of Continental money was a still further
cause of complaint.

It was resolved by the General Assembly, in April, to pay the officers
and soldiers of the State in service or those who should enlist in the
army for three years, "either in gold, silver coin, Continental bills or other
articles equivalent, so as to make their respective wages equal in value
upon the whole to gold or silver, as such wages were affixed & stated
by the resolutions of Congress, September i6th & October 8th, 1776."
Larger pay was also granted to the officers and seamen of the naval
ships.*

At the same time Governor Trumbull was asked to request Wash-
ington to station one or two regiments of Continental troops in Con-
necticut for the defence of t'he sea-coast.

On Monday morning. May 2d, the town of Fairfield was thrilled with
the alarming news that General Silliman had been taken prisoner and
carried to Long Island. This event is most interestingly told by ^Irs.
Silliman in her journal to her son Gold Scllick, as follows:

"In the year 1779 he (General Silliman) was by the Capt. Gen. or Governor sta-
tioned to guard the coast in the vicinity of Fairfield — having the care of all the out-posts
in that county— & his own home was allowed to be his headquarters. In this situation
he continued until the ist of May, when Gen. Clinton, the commanding officer at New
York, sent a whaleboat of Tories td- surprise & take him. At a midnight hour, when we
were all asleep, the house was attacked. I was first awakened by his calling out, ' Who's
there ! ' At that instant there was a banging at both doors, they intending to break them
down, or burst them open, & this was done with great stones as big almost as they could
lift. They left them at the door. My dear companion then sprang up, caught his gun, &

* Kec. State Conn., II, 228, 229, 230, 231.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 379

ran to the front of the house, &, as the moon shone, saw them through the window, &
attempted to fire, but his gun only flashed & missed fire. At that instant the enemy burst
in a window sash & all jumped in, seized him & said he was their prisoner & he must go
with them. He asked if he might dress himself. They said yes, if he would be quick. All
this time I lay quaking. They followed him into the bed-room, where I & my dear little
boy lay, with their guns & bayonets fixed. Their appearance was dreadful, & I feared the
consequences to myself as well as to him, as it was but three months before the birth of my
last child. It was then their prisoner addressed them in mild terms & begged them to leave
the room, & told them their being there would frighten his wife. They then withdrew for
a minute or two & then returned, when he asked them out again; they hurrying him he
went out & shut the door. After that I heard them breaking the windows, which they
wantonly did with the breeches of their guns. They then asked him for his money; he
told them he had none but continental & that would do them no good. Then they wished
his papers ; he said his public papers were all sent abroad, & his private ones would do
them no good. Then some wanted one thing & some another; he told them mildly he
hoped he was in the hands of gentlemen & that it was beneath them to plunder. With
these arguments he quieted them so that they plundered but little. They then told him he
must go. He asked if he might go & take leave of his wife. They said yes, if he would
make haste. He then came in & dropped a bundle of his most valuable private papers under
something on the table, took leave of me with great seeming fortitude & composure, & went
away with them. As soon as I heard the door shut I arose & went to the bed-room of our
son, Wm. Silliman, & found he was gone, although I did not hear anything of their taking
him. I then went to the door & saw them bearing away their prisoners. I then sent to
inform those at the next house, when they fired a gun which frightened the enemy very
much, as they had not got above a quarter of a mile from our house. They took them
down about two miles to their whaleboat, where they had left one man, & proceeded on
their voyage to Long Island. This event took place May ist, 1779, & I heard nothing from
them in three weeks. After three weeks of great anxiety I received a letter from your
father informing me where he was.' I think they were then at Flatbush, on Long Island.
In that he told me where to send my letters to him for inspection, as no letters were suffered
to pass without. After this we corresponded, but wrote under such restraint that it did
not seem to be the thing, but it was better than not to have done it at all. My next step
was to look for an asylum in case of an invasion of the town, as we expected. Your
brother William coming home on parole, I had the benefit of his assistance. He went
with me to North Stratford, & there engaged part of a good house, in case we were obliged
to quit our own. But to return & be a little more particular about matters that relate to
the capture of your father & brother. There were nine that came over in the whaleboat;
one stayed with the boat, & eight came to our house ; the eight went down to the boat with
their captives, & embarked aboard their boat between the hours of I & 2 o'clock in the
morning of the Sabbath. They had a boisterous time over, but that did not prevent some
of them from casting their eyes on some matters they had plundered from the house,
especially a beautiful fusee, a pair of elegant pistols inlaid with silver all over, & an elegant
sword, which one of them, who had worked at our house, took much pleasure in flourishing
about, & he it was supposed who piloted them to our house. When they arrived at Long
Island shore, they were hailed by a Col. Symes, who commanded there. ' Have you got
him?' 'Yes.' ' Have you lost any men? ' 'No.' ' That's well !' said Symes. 'Your Sillimans
nor your Washingtons are not worth a man ! ' He then ordered his men to the guard-
house with the prisoners. Says your father, 'Am I going to the guard-house?' 'Yes.'
When they came there, says your father to the adjutant, 'Is it thus you treat prisoners of

38o HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^779

my rank?' He said, 'We don't look on you as we should on a continental General, but a
militia General.' 'But how will you view me when my exchange is talked of?' '1 under-
stand you, sir; & walked out & suppose reported to his commanding officer. Soon after
that your father & brother had an invitation to breakfast at a neighboring house, where
they went & refreshed themselves. Soon after a horse & carriage was sent for them to
ride to New York, escorted by a guard of dragoons. When they arrived there, there was
a great flocking to see the rebel General; but by & by a gentleman came & whispered to him
to go with him, for fear he would be insulted by the rabble. He conducted them to good
lodgings, where he was kept until ordered to Flatbush, on Long Island, where he remained
until he was exchanged for Judge Jones, the circumstances of whose capture were some-
what singular, & very interesting to us. By all my investigation & that of my friends we
could not find any in the possession of the Americans the British would accept for your
father. I wrote to the Governor for direction & assistance in the matter; he, too, felt him-
self much interested, not only for his personal friendship for the prisoner, but for the
people, as he said he had not a more faithful officer than he; but he knew of none the
enemy would accept for him. At length it v/as thought best to attempt a capture for that
purpose, & Judge Jones on Long Island was thought a proper person, as he was a great
Tory; once, I believe, Judge of their Supreme Court. Capt. David Hawley of Newfield
kindly offered, I think, to undertake the enterprise. He soon manned a whaleboat, of
which he was commander, & set oflf for Long Island. When they reached the shore of
that place they had about fifty miles to go by land before they reached the seat of the
Judge, which, I think, was in Southampton. They were now in the enemy's land & must
not be seen travelling, so they drew their boat up & hid it in the weeds, & they lay con-
cealed in the day & traveled in the night. When they came to the house they were struck
with the appearance, for the Captain said it looked like a castle. I forget how long they
were going, but it was about 9 o'clock Saturday night when they came to the house, when
they heard music and dancing. Capt. Hawley rapped at the door, but none heard ; he then
burst a panel out & jumped in & laid hold on the Judge, whom he found in the entry, &
told him he was his prisoner. And, as Providence ordered it, there was there a young
gentleman on a visit whose name was Hulet; him they took, too, & he served very well to
exchange for your brother. They soon hurried them out of the house, & had to pass nigh a
guard. When they came here the Judge hemmed very loud. Capt. Hawley, who held him
by the hand, told him he must not do so, but he repeated his hem- Hawley told him if he
hemmed again he would run him through. He afterwards desisted, & they went on
through the night, & when the morning came they conducted the Judge to such lodgings
as they had, which was among the bushes, until the next night, when they went on &
reached the whaleboat, I think, the third night, & glad were they to find it, for had it been
taken off in their absence they would have been in a woeful case. They then went aboard
& proceeded unmolested until they arrived at Newfield. News came to me in the morning
that Capt. Hawley had arrived with Judge Jones. Although I was glad the event had taken
place, my heart was full of sympathy iov him & his family, whom I well knew how to pity,
as I had so recently gone through the same trial. And wishing to make his captivity as easy
as possible, I sent your brother to invite him to our house to breakfa.st. He came under a
guard. I was introduced to him & he to me. I observed to him that the fortunes of war
had brought him here under disagreeable circumstances, & as I could so well sympathize
with him & his family, I wished to do everything in my power for his accommodation until
the purpose of his capture was effected, when I hoped Mrs. Jones, myself & our partners
would be made happy in seeing each other again. But to my disappointment I found him
insensible & void of complaisance. & a "^ullcn discontent sat on his brow. He made no

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 38 1

reply, but asked this question, Did they plunder tvhcn they took your husband? I told him
not much. He said, ' They have plundered my house. I don't believe they left my wife a
second sheet.* This I was sorry to hear, & afterwards, inquiring of Capt. Hawley, he told
me that he held up the idea to his men that there should be no plundering, but when they
landed on the other side the men said : ' What are rve to get if we take Judge Jones? We
run a great risk; we don't know but we may be killed. Unless you give us leave to plunder
we will go no farther.' Then he saw that the expedition would be frustrated, & he was
obliged to tell them that they might plunder. But to return. I got as good a dinner for
my captured guest as I could, & my family paid him every attention, but he was very un-
sociable all the time he stayed, which was only two or three days ; whence he was ordered
by the Capt.-General to Middletown, thinking our house an unsafe place. Mr. Hulet, who
was taken with him, was paroled by Capt. Hawley, & did not come when the Judge did,
but came on afterwards, & was exchanged for your brother & went home. After that I
received a very genteel billet from Mrs. Jones expressing her great thankfulness for my
politeness to her dear Mr. Jones, & begged me to accept of a pound of green tea ; but to
return to my own situation. After your honored father was taken I had a large family, &
the care & weight lay on me, but I was enabled to get along from day to day & lived in a
constant alarm. The dreadful fright I had the night of his capture made me feel like the
timorous roe, & I started at every noise, fearing the enemy, who were often infesting our
coasts ; but I endeavored to put my trust where I ought. My dear parents then were living,
<i your brother Joseph was with them when your father was captured, & your brothers John
& James were at college ; & it was happy that they were not here, or they would doubtless
have shared the same fate with your father & brother."

Another account is given as follows :

April 25th, 1779. A boat with 8 or 10 men landed against Old Fort at the head of B. R.
harbor in the night & marched up to Gen. Silliman's (Holland hill) & took him & his son
William through the broken place in the beach to Long Island, then in possession of the
enemy. They were piloted by one of our own (Tories). As they passed over the beach the
old 12 pounders at the battery three times distinctly in a calm night made the windows of
my chamber shake. We were soon out, expecting the next moment to be a prisoner, but
sending to the battery we learned the cause. The next morning the tracks of 8 men were
discernible ; 2 traced to the house of Ezra Wheeler, the next neighbor, who was tried for
life before." *

The General Assembly met May 13th, at Hartford. Captain Samuel
Squire and Mr. George Burr represented Fairfield. Jonathan Sturges
was appointed Judge of the Probate Court, and Abraham Davenport of
Stamford Judge of the County Court of Fairfield.

A rate of taxes was fixed upon all males from sixteen upwards, and
on lands, buildings, cattle, horses, swine, crops, timber, ships, coaches,
etc., moneys, merchants and manufacturers, traders, attorneys, physicians,
surgeons, mill-owners and tavern keepers. t

An act was passed to regulate the town votes to be given for the
election of delegates to the Continental Congress.

* William Wheeler's Journal. f Rec. State Conn., II, 256-263.

382 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

Dueling was prohibited in the State by an act punishing duehsts,
" or a challenge to fight a duel should be tried before the General Court,
a fine imposed of one thousand dollars, & be forever prohibited from hold-
ing any office of profit or honour in this State "'; and if unable to pay this
sum be imprisoned for one year. Persons acting as seconds and conveying
any written challenge were ordered to sufifer the same punishment.*

Owing to the enhanced prices of labor and the necessities of life, " the
Assistants' fees for attending the General Assembly were increased to
three pounds twelve shillings per diem, & four shillings per mile for
travel."

The support of the families of field officers below the rank of Briga-
dier-General serving in the army were also again regulated at a higher
rate. One-half of the wages of such officers and soldiers were reserved
for the maintenance of their families during their absence.

Pardon was extended to all persons who had left the State and gone
over to the enemy, provided they returned and gave themselves up, after
having convinced the authorities of the towns in which they had lived
of the error they had made, and were willing to take the oath of alle-
giance to the United States.

Eight hundred men were ordered to be raised to fill up the State
battalions to serve to the end of the war. Each officer and soldier was
granted a premium of forty pounds who should enlist to serve during
the continuance of the war, in addition to the bounty given by Congress. +
In case this number could not be raised for so long a time, a bounty of
twenty pounds and a uniform coat was offered to each soldier who should
enlist until the 15th of January, 17S0. A peremptory draft was ordered
to be made out of the several companies of light horse of the State, to
serve with the cavalry. A peremptory draft was also ordered from the
foot militia to serve the same length of time in the Continental army.
The quota of men to be raised from each town to fill this order was fixed.
Eight men were ordered from Fairfield, while that of Hartford was five
and New Haven seven. An additional premium of four pounds was
added, provided each non-commissioned officer and soldier furnished his
own gun, etc.. knapsack and blanket. These battalions were not to
join the army of the United States, unless under urgent necessity, and
then only in the adjoining States. :j;

* Rcc. State Conn., II, 271. \ Kec. Stale Conn., II, 2S0.

X Rec. State Conn., II, 28 1, 282.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 383

The guards stationed at Fairfield, and the adjacent towns along the
Sound, were ordered to continue in service until January, 1780.*

The wages allowed officers and soldiers in the militia of the State on
account of the great depreciation of Continental money seems enormous.
A Major-General's wages was £240 a month, a Brigadier-General's £204,
a Colonel's £180, a Lieutenant's £144, a Major's £120, etc., etc., and each
private's £24. Besides these the rates for subsistence money was set
apart for each commissioned and stafif officer. f For the maintenance of
the Connecticut soldiers in line and the State forces, the treasurer was
ordered to borrow from private citizens the sum of £45,000 lawful money,
with security at six per cent, interest until paid.+

Heavy taxes w-ere also levied on all the inhabitants of the State for
carrying out the enormous expenses of the war.§

The rapid depletion of bills of credit throughout the country, and
the rise of prices in articles of commerce and produce necessary for
supplying the army, by high prices paid by the British for supplies, who
also took pleasure in counterfeiting our bills of credit, as well as the
avarice of inconsiderate persons seeking their own gain rather than the
good of their country, led to a convention of delegates being called to
meet at Hartford, December 20th, from the States of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York to cooperate
in establishing a general reduction of prices within their jurisdiction,
by laying an embargo on all exports out of each State, except those sent
to the army of the United States. By adopting this agreement, and
calling upon the other States of the Union to join them, they hoped to
raise the value of the currency of the States. This convention met at the
time appointed, and after passing stringent embargo laws, they agreed to
call upon the other States of the Union to appoint delegates to join them
in convention in Philadelphia, January i, 1780, to further this purpose.

Mr. Thaddeus Burr was again chosen a member of the Council of
Safety.

One-fourth part of the officers and men belonging to the militia and
alarm list companies in the Second, Fourth and Sixth Brigades were or-
dered to be detached and held in readiness to march at the shortest
notice. ||

* Rec. State Conn., II, 282. t Rec. State Conn., II, 283.

X Rec. State Conn., II, 285. § Rec. State Conn., II, 286, 287.

II Rec. State Conn., II, 288.

384 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

By an application from General Putnam, Samuel Silliman, Jesse Burr,
Ebenezer Knapp and Abraham Morehouse, all of Fairfield, were, as
prisoners of war, exchanged for an equal number of British prisoners.*

Daniel Dimon was commissioned lieutenant and Samuel Beers, Jr.,
ensign of the fourth company in the Fourth Regiment. Phineas Sher-
man was commissioned captain, Elijah Curtis lieutenant, and John Mc-
Urie ensign of the fourteenth company of alarm list in the Fourth Regi-
ment.f

William Worden was commissioned captain and^ John Odell lieu-
tenant of the third company of the alarm list in the Fourth Regiment.
Thomas Hawley was commissioned captain, Jehiel French lieutenant,
and Jonathan Nichols ensign of the fifteenth company in the Fourth
Regiment.:};

The sum total of the polls and taxable estates in the grand list from
the town of Fairfield sent in to the Assembly, August 20, 1778, were
£47,951 12.?. ;^d., single additions £1.453 "/s. ^d-, and fourfold assessments
£785 4s. This was but about three hundred pounds less than Hartford
sent in, and not two thousand less than that of New Haven. §

Liberty was granted to several merchants to purchase a large amount
of pork, beef and grain raised in the State for the use of the adjoining
States.

The Governor and Council of Safety held meetings during the sit-
ting of the General Assembly. On the ist of May it was reported to
them: "that on March loth the ship ' Defence,' owned by the State, in
returning from a cruise on the Sound, unfortunately struck on Goshen
Reef west of the entrance of New London harbor & bilged : she soon
after turned over so suddenly that it was said some of the people in the
hold were drowned; her guns & most of her stores were saved, but the
vessel, it was thought, will be lost."! The sloop " Guilford " was ordered
to take her place.

Thaddeus Burr, Esq., was given a permit to ship on board the Con-
necticut sloo]) " General Stark " provisions for a six months' cruise.*,

Major I'Jijah ^'\l)cl was appointed to enlist men for the I'^ourth Regi-
ment.^*

* Rcc. State Conn., II, 289, 290. f ^^c. St.nte Conn., II, 29S.

X Rcc. State Conn., II, 299, 300. § Rcc. State Conn., II, 304.

H Rec. Slate Conn., 2, 344. II Rec. State Conn., 2, 347.

** Rcc. State Conn., 2, 354.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 385

A petition was presented to the Assembly by the negroes of Fairfield
and Stratford humbly begging to be loosed from the thraldom of slavery
and be allowed to " rejoice with your Honors in the Participation of
that inestimable blessing Freedom." This petition was dated May 11,
1779, and signed by Prime, a man-servant of William Samuel Sturges,
and Prime, a man-servant of Stephen Jennings, in behalf of themselves
and the other-petitioners. Dated at Fairfield, nth May, A. D. 1779.

A report of the loss of the ship " Oliver Cromwell," belonging to the
Connecticut navy, reached the Governor and Council June 14th. This
ship was cruising south of Sandy Hook with the privateer " Hancock,"
and fell in with three British cruising ships and a brig. One of the
fastest of these ships entered into an engagement with the " Oliver
Cromwell," which lasted nearly two hours. The latter made a gallant
defence and did much damage to the British ship; but the others com-
ing to her assistance, the " Oliver Cromwell " was obliged to strike her
colors to the enemy. The British changed her name to the " Restora-
tion."* The loss of this ship, " which mounted 20 guns & was manned
by about 130 men," with the loss of the " Defence," was very great to
the State, but more particularly to the towns along the Sound. The
question has sometimes been asked why the coast towns were left so
unprotected in 1779. The loss of these fine naval ships, which had been
engaged in many battles and taken valuable prizes, subject as they always
were to be taken by the enemy, gives an answer to such inquiries.

On the 17th of June Lieutenant-Colonel Noadiah Hooker, who, com-
manded a detachment of five hundred men for the protection of Stam-
ford, was ordered, if cartridges were needed, to apply to the magazine
at Fairfield, " lately under the care of Brigadier-General Silliman."t

On June i8th Mr. Thaddeus Burr was given blank commissions to
fill for the names of the commander and officers of the " Guilford," with
Captain Smedley, Jas. Squire, or such other as might be properly recom-
mended.:}:

Intelligence reached the Governor and Council, July 7th, then sitting
at Lebanon, of an attack by the enemy on New Haven early on the
morning of May 5th. Two hundred men were ordered to proceed with-
out delay to the assistance of New Haven. The following day, July 8th,
they received news that after a terrible attack by fire, plunder and rapine,

* Rec. State Conn., II, 352. t J^ec. State Conn., II, 353.

t Rec. State Conn., II, 354.
25

386 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

" the enemy had left New Haven & landed at Fairfield."* Orders were
forthwith given to Major-General Wolcott and Brigadier-General Ward
to march to the relief of Fairfield if needed. On the 9th Lieutenant-
Colonel Hezekiah Wyllys reported to them the landing of the British
and burning the town of Fairfield; & that they had re-embarked iM-oljably
for New London."

Alas, the order given to Generals Wolcott and Ward was too late,
for Fairfield, with its fine churches, new court-house and stately man-
sions, was in ashes. From the overlooking hills of Greenfield, to which
many of her weeping, terror-stricken inhabitants had fled for shelter,
they looked dowai upon the ascending smoke of their burning homes.
The following account is given by an eye-witness :

" About 4 o'clock A. M. on the 7th of July, the British fleet ofif Fair-
field was announced by the firing of a cannon at (trover's Hill. The
fleet appeared to be sailing for New York. A thick fog came on until
between 9 & 10 A. M., which, when cleared, the fleet was discovered
anchoring ofT Kenzie's Point." t About 4 V. M. they began to land, and
marched along the beach until they came to a lane opposite the centre
of the town, through which they entered the town and paraded in three
divisions on the Green. They were commanded by Sir (ieorge Collier
by sea and Generals Tryon and Garth by land.

The surprise of the British forces landing and appearing in the town
found the inhabitants unprepared for resistance. Upon reaching the
Meeting-house Green a proclamation was posted, which had been pre-
pared by Commodore Sir (George Collier and Major-General William
Tryon, calling upon all the inhabitants to swear allegiance to the King
of Cireat Britain.

" That owing to their delusion in hoping for independence they were deceiving them-
selves; that the existence of a single habitation on your defenceless coast ought to be a con-
stant proof of your ingratitude. Therefore we offer you a refuge against the distress
which you universally acknowledge broods with increasing & intolerable weight over all
your country; & that whosoever shall be found, & remain in peace at his usual place of
residence, shall be shielded from any insult cither to his property, excepting such as bear
offices, either civil or military, under your present usurped government, of whom it will be
further required that they shall give proof of their penitence & voluntary submission, when
they shall partake of the like immunity. Rut those whose folly & obstinacy may slight this

* Rec. Stale Conn., II. 356.

■(• KlmizIc's I'oint lies cast of Mill River and llic Hrcakwater al Soulliport at the foot of Sasqna
Hill.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 387

favorable warning must take notice that they are not to expect a continuance of that
lenity which their inveteracy would not now render blameless."

To this proclamation, Colonel Whiting, who was in command of the
troops at Fairfield, returned the following reply : " Connecticut has nobly-
dared to take up arms against the cruel despotism of Britain, and as the
flames have now preceded your flag, they will persist to oppose to the
utmost that power exerted against injured innocence."

While the British were advancing on the town the militia gathered their .small forces
as quickly as possible on the hills above the green. " Here, with a small field piece & their
muskets, for awhile they annoyed the advancing enemy with round & grape-shot, but the
latter formed & quickly advanced, while the Fairfield militia retired to an eminence com-
manding Beach-lane & the Green, where, joined by a number from the surrounding coun-
try, they continued to assail the invaders, who were also considerably galled by the cannon
from Fort Black Rock on Grover's Hill. Parties of women & children fled to Greenfield
Hill, but a few women remained to protect their houses & valuables. Hessians in small com-
panies were first let loose to plunder & for rapine. Every house was entered, desks, trunks,
chests & closets were opened, & everything of value taken. Women were robbed of their
buckles, rings, bonnets & aprons. Looking glasses, china & furniture were slashed & broken
to pieces, & women insulted with the foulest language, their lives threatened & bayonets
presented to their breasts.

"A party of refugees, in revenge for their confiscated estates, plundered & destroyed
whatever they could find, but were not so abusive to the women.

■' The British came last ; & while some of their officers seemed to pity the misfortunes
of the people, made the excuse that they had no other way to subdue the country. Some
of the troops were exceedingly abusive to the women ; but by a vigorous resistance the
women protected themselves, although obliged to submit to the most indelicate & rough
treatment, & some continued to bear the scars & bruises of their assailants.

"About an hour before sunset the burning of the houses & buildings began. The
house of Josiah Jennings* was the first set on fire. In the evening the house of Elijah
Abel, Esqr., Sheriff of the county, with a few others ; & during the night several houses on
the main street were set on fire. Entreaties from men & women to Tryon, begging him to
spare their houses, were joined by the Rev. Mr. Sayer, a clergyman zealous in the cause
of the British from the S. P. G. The house of Mr. Thaddeus Burr, writer of the above
description, was spared by Tryon's consent, who treated the inhabitants with as much
humanity as his errand would admit. At sunrise several houses were standing; but in
about two hours the conflagration became general. The burning pirates carried on their
business with horrible alacrity, headed by tzvo or three persons, who were born and bred
in the neighboring towns. All the town from the bridge towards Stratford to the Mill
River (a few houses excepted) was consumed.

About eight o'clock the enemy sounded a retreat. The Congregational meeting-house
and the Church of England, which had been spared by the entreaties of Mr. Sayer, af-
forded some pleasure amidst our woe; but the rear guard, consisting of a band of the
vile.st that was ever let loose among men. set fire to everything which Genera! Tryon had
left. The large and elegant meeting-house, the ministers' houses, Mr. Burr"s house, and
other houses which had received protection were burned. They tore Tryon's papers of

* Isaac Jennings.

388 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

protection in pieces, abused the women shamefully and ran off in very disgraceful man-
ner. Happily our men came in and extinguished the flames in several houses, so that
we were not entirely destroyed. This rear were chiefly Germans, called Jagers, who
carried small rifle guns and fought in a skulking manner, much like our Indians.

" The enemy sent a row-galley to silence the fort on Grover's Hill, between which &
the fort a constant firing was kept up all night. Attempts were made to take it by parties
of troops, but Lieutenant Jarvis, who had but twenty-three men besides himself, bravely
and obstinately defended it. The militia followed the incendiaries to the place of em-
barkation, where they galled them considerably. About twelve o'clock the cruel foe em-
barked, and about 2 P. M. set sail for Long Island. Many killed on both sides. Several
prisoners .were carried away, but no one of distinction. Old Mr. Solomon Sturgis, an
Irish servant of Mr. Penfield, and an old negro man belonging to Mr. Jonathan Lewis,
were put to the bayonet. Mr. Job Bartram was shot through the breast, the ball came
out just under his shoulder-blade; he fought bravely, as did also others."*

Instead of sailing to New London, as it had been thought they would, on the morn-
ing of the 8th the British landed at Mill River (Southport), where a small battery had
been raised, where they plundered and burned eight houses and out-buildings, destroying
furniture and whatever they could lay their hands upon.

They then cast anchor oft Compo and landed at Green's Farms, where they burned
thirteen houses, with their church.

The following account is also given from an eye-witness :

"July 7th, at 7 in the morning, the fog clearing off, the enemy's fleet, just returned
from plundering New Haven, appeared. Three guns announced an alarm — everyone busy
in moving or throwing their things out of doors — about 11 o'clock 1,600 regular troops
landed at the foot of the bar on town beach. Isaac Jarvis commanded the battery at the
point of Grover's hill, Black Rock, who, as soon as the British turned to go up the beach
lane fired a 12-pounder with ball & grape-shot, & kept it going till it was so hot you could
hardly bear your hand thereon. As they approached the parade, a field piece let go a ball
& grapes through them. I was at that time on Toilsome hill, having been just above with
my father to drive cattle to our woodland, to keep them from the enemy. As we arrived
at Black Rock it was with no pleasant sensation we heard the firing back towards Barlow's-
plain, and seemed to be in danger of being hemmed in — this, however, we prevented by
taking up the upper bridge. Black Rock people soon assembled on Grover's hill, among
whom were several females, where we could see the enemy marching up. A continual
cracking from near Round-hill was kept up the remainder of the afternoon, & sometimes
from a field piece. The first building that appeared on fire was the guard-house at Kenzy's
Point ; next one at Barlow's-plain. You might from Black Rock see the fire shine through
the windows & presently the fire on the outside. The town burnt all night — a cloud seemed
to remain fixed in the west, from which issued frequent flashes of lightning; this joined
to many a column from the flaming buildings, & frequent discharges of cannon & musketry
on the British guard placed around the town ; the poor inhabitants, with no shelter many
of them but the canopy of heaven, with no clothing but what they had on ; wives separated
from their husbands, & exposed to the indecencies of an infuriated soldiery, rendered truly
diabolical by the spirits they found in plenty in the town, formed a scene altogether so
shocking tiiat I-'airfield will never see again, nor her present silken sons & daughters can
form any conception of. There were some instances of great bravery among the inhabi-

* New London (Jazctte, Aug. 4. Frank Moore's Diary of the Revolution.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 389

tants of Fairfield. A Mr. Tucker fired from his shop on the parade at the whole army
only a few rods distant, & was wounded by them in the shoulder & taken prisoner. Mr.
Parsons fired from a chamber into the road & killed a British officer; then running out the
back door made his escape. The enemy coming into the house found an old negro bed-
ridden ; they said it was him, he declared it was not ; they put the bayonet into him &
burnt the house, next day my brother saw him about half burnt up & a beam lying on him.
Parsons after this taking a prisoner was conducting him away, when he was taken prisoner
himself. . . . Joseph Gold, a very old man & feeble, going off, stopped at a spring to
drink ; they commanded him to stop ; he would not ; they shot him. Several women staj'ed
in town to save their houses; but were so frighted, they said they would never stay again.
Jonathan Bulkley, living on the Green, stayed, got a protection from General Tryon &
saved his house & three adjoining houses. . . . July 8th. A Row-Galley mounting an
i8-pounder of brass lay ^ of a mile from the Battery, & fired upon it, sending some shot
over the hill ; & the Battery firing on them, & hallooing with a speaking trumpet to turn
their broadside towards them & they would give it to them. Isaac Jarvis commanded at
the Battery. Had he been a coward 10 more houses would have been burnt; Squire's,
Burr's, Silliman's, Halberton's, Fowler's, Chauncey's, Widow Wheeler's, Ichabod Wheeler's,
E. Wheeler's, Bartram's.

"About noon the enemy returned on board at Kenzy's Point, & were pursued through
the burning houses by the enraged inhabitants, and at Sandy Lane the roar of the small
arms was continued like the roll of a drum. Our people would have paid them as they
were embarking had they not levelled all the stone walls near the shore where our men
might get behind, & drew up their armed vessels to keep off the Americans. It is said the
Fairfield people fought much better than they did at New Haven or Norwalk, which was
burnt soon after. . . . About 40 of the enemy were found dead & 8 or 10 of ours. No
doubt many were wounded & carried off with them, for about a fortnight after, when on
guard at the point, I observed the remains of one washed out of the sand where they
had buried him. Eighty dwelling-houses, besides barns, stores, etc:, were consumed. A
Presbyterian meeting-house. Episcopalian Church & a Court-house, Green's Farms with
their meeting-house & Mill river were burnt at the same time. Eleven houses were left
standing, some of them extinguished by our people, who followed close at the heels of the
English, & afforded a refuge to the poor inhabitants from a hard succeeding winter, the
most terrible but one (1740) seen since the settlement of New England. The severe cold
quieted in some measure our fears from an attack, & made the enemy in New York tremble
in their turn for fear our men should march on the ice & attack them — & affording us a
long season of excellent sleighing. Thus graciously did a kind Providence favour &
defend us from an unrelenting foe, till they were tired out by the contest. . . . The
Sabbath after Mr. Eliot preached (from ' Our holy & our beautiful house, &c.') at Holland
Hill, where Fairfield people assembled, not daring to meet near the shore for fear of
being taken prisoners, so fearful were they then & long after, they could hardly sleep in
their beds. My father had a place for his silver tankard & some silver therein in a stone
wall. Many a time he has gone in a dark night with his gun to see if no enemy's boat
came over the beach. Sometimes very few guards at the Battery or anywhere else.
Strange that the enemy did not burn us in the four long years that the war lasted after
this time. I listed as a soldier in the Guard (Upper Wharf) from May i6th till July 7th,
when Fairfield was burnt, being 16 years of age. We had a double fortified 3 pounder,
which sent a shot over a boat of the enemy's, sounding at the broken place of the beach."*

" It is related that when Fairfield was attacked by the British, Colonel Whiting, the
* William Wheeler's Journal.

390 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

Commandant, having withdrawn the Americans to the Round Hill, north of the village,
called for a captain & 30 men to volunteer for the purpose of reconnoitring the enemy ;
that Capt. Thomas Nash immediately stepped forth, followed by more than 100 men. The
Colonel would allow only 30 to go. However, more fell in after they left the hill. Capt.
Nash advanced to the fence north of the street, near where the meeting-house now stands,
& ordered his men to lie behind the fence in the tall vegetation, until the enemy were
near the centre of the street, when, as he gave the word, they were to rise & Are, load and
fire, & then run. This they did with such effect, & so unexpectedly, that none of his
party were injured until they began to ascend the rising ground towards the north, where
one was killed. Afterwards, when a squad of the enemy approached to burn his house
at Green's Farms, he alone, or with but little help, dragged the company field piece to a
rising ground near the house, loaded it with grape, & fired upon them. They, suspecting
he had a company to sustain him in so daring an act, retreated, & thus his home was
saved. It is yet standing.

" At another time, being on a scout in the night, with only three men, he discovered
a whale-boat secreted on the shore, which he thought indicated an enemy near. He
therefore stove in the boat, & searched for the foe. Perceiving a faint light from the
window of a cabin in a cornfield, he ordered his army of three to pass rapidly round the
cabin, making all the noise they could with their muskets, against the building, by which
the inmates deemed themselves surrounded by a real force. Capt. Nash then approached
the window & told them to hand out their arms. & he would spare their lives. They com-
plied & handed out 16 muskets, which he secured & told them to lie down until morning,
when it appeared that he & his three men had surrounded & taken 15 Tories & one British
soldier."*

Captain Jariis's Guard at Black Rock Fort.

Captain Isaac Jarvis, Colonel Elijah Hill, Captain David Jarvis, Chauncey Downs.
Ezra Wheeler, David Sherwood, John Lyon, Daniel Wilson, Silas Hawley, Joseph Gold,
Samuel Patchen, Nehemiah Burr, John Meeker, Nathan Jennings, John Wilson, Huldah
Mason, James McNay, Nehemiah Rose, William Sturges, William Hawley, Abraham Par-
ritt, Daniel Burr, Benjamin Meeker, Robert Walch, Nathaniel Wilson, Jesse Burr, Fair-
weather Brothwell.+

"This guard not only guarded the fort but Penfield Mills, the fort overlooking the
mills which were near the mouth of the Unquowa River. These all important mills were
well looked after, as James Penfield baked several barrels of tlour daily for tlie army.
Besides the guards at the fort a home guard was stationed around ihcni night & day."t

The following " Letter from the Rev. Andrew Eliot to the Rev.
John Eliot of Boston, concerning the burning of Fairfield in Jtily, 1779,"
is to be found in the Massachusetts Historical Collection :

" Faikfiei.d. July 15,, 1779.
" Dear Brother:

" I sit down to write to you some account of the sad and awful scene which has been
exhibited in this once pleasant & delightful town, now, alas! a heap of ruins, a sad spec-
tacle of desolation & woe !

" It was in the beginning of wlicat harvest, a season of extraordinary labor & fes-

* Appendi.x, Vol. I— Nash, Genealogical. f ("onnc-cticut War Records.

X Diary of William Wheeler of Hlack Ruck.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 39I

tivity ; a season whicli promised the greatest plenty that had been known for many years,
if within the memory of man. Never did our fields bear so ponderous a load ; never
were our prospects, with regard to sustenance, so bright.

" The British fleet & army, with the American refugees that had possessed and
plundered New Haven, set sail for that distressed place on the 6th instant.

" About four o'clock the next morning, the approach of the fleet was announced
by the firing of a gun from a small fort we have on Grover"s Hill, contiguous to the
Sound. They seemed, however, to be passing l)y. And about seven o'clock we with
pleasure beheld them all to the westward of us steering, as we thought, to New York.
A thick fog came on, which entirely deprived us of the sight of them, till between the
hours of nine & ten, when the mist clearing away, we beheld the whole fleet under our
western shore, & some of them close to Kensie's Point. They presently came to anchor ;
& lay till about four in the afternoon, when they began to land their troops a little to
the east of Kensie's Point, at a place called the pines. From thence the troops marched
along the beach until they came to a lane opposite the centre of the town, through which
they proceeded; & in about an hour paraded in their division on the green, between the
meeting-house and court-house. From thence they detached their guards, & divided into
small parties, proceeded to their infernal business. Their commanding officer was Sir
George Collier by sea, & Generals Tryon & Garth by land. The approach of the fleet
was so sudden, that but few men could be collected, though the alarm gun was fired
immediately on the dissipation of the fog. There was no thought of opposing their land-
ing, as our force was nothing to theirs. Our little party, however, posted themselves so
as to annoy them to the best advantage, expecting they would land at the point. When
our people found them landing on the left, & marching in the rear to take possession
of the town, they immediately retreated to the courthouse ; & as the enemy advanced from
the Beach lane, they gave them such a warm reception with a field piece which threw
both round & grape shot, & with their musketry, as quite disconcerted them for some
time. The column, however, quickly recovered its solidity, & advancing rapidly, forced
our small body to retreat to the heights, back of the town, where they were joined by
numbers coming in from the country. The enemy were also galled very much as they
turned from the beach to the lane, by the cannon which played from Grover's Hill.

" The town was almost cleared of inhabitants. A few women, some of whom were
of the most respectable families & characters, tarried with a view of saving their property.
They imagined their sex & character would avail to such a purpose. They put some
confidence in the generosity of an enemy who were once famed for generosity & polite-
ness; & thought that kind treatment & submissive behaviour would secure them against
harsh treatment and rough usage. Alas ! they were miserably mistaken & bitterly regretted
their confidence & presumption.

" The Hessians were first let loose to rapine & plunder. They entered houses, at-
tacked the persons of Whig & Tory indiscriminately; breaking open desks, trunks, closets,
& taking away everything of value. They robbed women of their buckles, rings, bonnets,
aprons & handkerchiefs. They abused them with the foulest and most profane language,
threatened their lives without the least regard to the most earnest cries & entreaties.
Looking glasses, china and all kinds of furniture, were dashed to pieces.

"Another party that came on were American refugees, who, in revenge for their
confiscated estates, carried on the same direful business. They were not, however, so
abusive to the women as the former, but appeared very furious against the town &
county. The Britons, by what I could learn, were the least inveterate : some of the ofiicers
seemed to pity the misfortunes of the country, but in excuse said that they had no other

392 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [r779

way to gain their authority over us. Individuals among the British troops were, how-
ever, exceedingly abusive, especially to women. Some were forced to submit to the most
indelicate & rough treatment, in defence of their virtue, & now bear the bruises of horrid
conflict.

" About an hour before sunset the conflagration began at the house of Mr. Isaac
Jennings, which was consumed, with the neighboring buildings. In the evening the house
of Elijah Abel, Esq., was consumed with a few others. In the night several buildings
in the main street. General Tryon was in various parts of the town plot, with the good
women begging & entreating him to spare their houses. Mr. Sayre, the Church of Eng-
land missionary, a gentleman firmly & zealously engaged in the British interest, & who had
suffered considerably in their cause, joined with them in their entreaties ; he begged the
General to spare the town, but was denied. He then begged that some few houses might
be spared, as a shelter for those who could provide habitations no where else. This was
denied also. At length Mr. Tryon consented to save the buildings of Mr. Burr and the
writer of this epistle. Both had been plundered ere this. He said likewise that the houses
of public worship should be spared. He was far from being in a good temper during the
whole affair. General Garth at the other end of the town, treated 'the inhabitants with
as much humanity as his errand would admit.

"At sunrise some considerable part of the town was standing; but in about two
hours the flames became general. The burning parties carried on their business with
horrid alacrity, headed by one or two persons who were born & bred in the neighboring
towns. All the town from the bridge by Colonel Gold's to the Mill River, a few houses
excepted escaped, was a heap of ruins.

" About eight o'clock the enemy sounded a retreat. We had some satisfaction,
amidst our sorrow & distress, to .see that the meeting-house and a few other buildings
remained. But the rear guard, consisting of a banditti, the vilest that was ever let loose
among men, set fire to everything which General Tryon had left; the large & elegant
meeting-house, the minister's houses, Mr. Burr's and several other houses, which had
received protection. They tore the protection to pieces, damned Tryon, abused the women
most shamefully, & then ran off in a most disgraceful manner. Happily our people came
in & extinguished the flames of several houses ; so that we are not entirely destitute.

" The rear guard which behaved in so scandalous a manner were chiefly German
troops, called Yagers. They carry a small rifle gun, & fire in a skulking manner, like
our Indians. Iliey may be properly called sons of plunder & devastation.

" Our people on the height back of the town were joined by numbers, but not equal
to the numbers of the eneniy. They were skirmishing all the evening, part of the night,
& the next morning. The enemy were several times disconcerted & driven from their out-
posts. Had they continued longer in the town it must have been fatal to them, for the
militia were collecting from all parts.

" Our fort yet stands. The enemy sent a row-galley to silence it, & there was con-
stant firing between them all night. One or two attempts were made to take it by parties
of troops, but it was most bravely & obstinately defended by Lieutenant Isaac Jarvis of
the town, who had but twenty-three men besides himself.

"The militia followed these bloody incendiaries to the place of embarkation, &
galled them considerably. The embarkation took place about twelve i)'clock. & they set
sail for Long Island about two or three in the afternoon.

" Many were killed on both sides. The number cannot be ascertained. They car-
ried off some prisoners, but no person of distinction.

"One particular I would mention. .After Tryon had begun to burn, he sent out the

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 393

proclamation which you have in the Hartford paper. In the midst of hostilities, while the
riames were raging & bullets flying, who should come out with the flag but Mr. Sayre.
A spirited answer was sent in; & the people were so enraged that hostilities shoujd be
going on in the time of negotiation, & that Mr. Sayre should be the bearer of such an
insulting proclamation, & at such a time, that the said gentleman was obliged to quit the
town when the enemy left it. His whole family were obliged to go with him, leaving the
greatest part of their substance behind, which became fuel for the flames, indiscriminately
scattered by the rear guards. The reply which General Tryon made to Mr. Sayre when
he asked to go with him was, ' You may go on board the ship, sir, but I cannot promise
you any help or assistance.'

" The Church of England building was consumed, but by whom, or at what time,
I am unable to say.

" Unconnected with them, unsolicited on my part, through the intercession of Mr.
Sayre, my house & property, received a protection in General Tryon's own handwriting.
A sentinel was placed there some part of the time. But sad experience convinced me to
how little purpose all this was. My property was plundered, my house and furniture all
consumed, though a lady was so kind as to show them the protection, which, like others,
was torn in pieces by the Yagers.

" Our friend Joseph Bartram was shot through the breast ; old Mr. Solomon Sturgis,
an Irish servant of Mr. Penfield, & a negro man belonging to ]\Ir. Lewis, were put to
death by the bayonet.

" The distress of the poor was inexpressible. A most pleasant and delightful town
in flames ! What a scene did the 8th of July present !

" But I must forbear. Everything I have written you may depend upon as a fact ; my
pen has not been guided by prejudice whatever my feelings are; & should you publish this
letter, every reader may be assured that there was not the least diversion from what
actually took place upon this melancholy occasion.

" Yours, &c.,

" Andrew Elliott."

The fleet of General Tryon had been piloted into its position before
Fairfield by a Mr. George Hoyt, a brother of Mrs. Jonathan Bulkley,
whose husband owned the tavern in the rear of the court-house. Mr.
Hoyt had received a promise from General Tryon that his sister's house
should be saved, which promise was kept, and tlirough Mrs. Bulkley's in-
tercession the three houses on the east side of the Green were spared.
The Sun tavern, owned by Captain Samuel Penfield, which stood on the
southwest side of the Bulkley house, was burned. No less than eighty-
five dwelling-houses, fifty-five barns, fifteen stores, fifteen shops, the
school-houses, county jail and jailor's house, and the two churches were
consumed. Mrs. Forgue succeeded in putting out the fire of Mr. Isaac
Burr's house before it had gained full headway, as the Hessians were leav-
ing the town.

"On the evening of the 7th, while the town was in flames, a thunderstorm over-
spread the heavens just as night came on. The conflagration of near two hundred houses

394 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

illumined the earth, the skirts of the clouds, & tiie waves of the Sound with a union of
gloom & grandeur, at once inexpressibly awful & magnificent. The sky speedily was
hung with the deepest darkness wherever the clouds were not tinged by the melancholy
lustre of the flames. At intervals the lightning blazed with a livid & terrible splendor.
The thunder rolled above. Beneath, the roaring of the fires filled up the intervals with
a deep & hollow sound, which seemed to be the protracted murmur of the thunder, rever-
berated from one end of heaven to the other. Add to this convulsion of the elements,
the dreadful effect of vindictive & wanton devastation, the trembling of the earth, the
sharp sound of muskets occasionally discharged, the groans here & there of the wounded
& dying, & the shouts of triumph, then place before your eyes crowds of miserable suf-
ferers, mingled with bodies of the militia, and from the neighboring hills, taking a fare-
well prospect of their property & their dwellings, their happiness & their hopes, & you will
'form a just but imperfect picture of the burning of Fairfield. It needed no great effort of
imagination to believe that the final day had arrived, & that amid the funeral darkness the
morning would speedily dawn, to which no night would ever succeed ; the graves yield up
their inhabitants ; & the trial commence, at which is to be settled the destiny of man."*

The morning of the 9th of July witnessed another scene in Fairfield
of a very different character from that of the 7th and 8th. The army
of Major Talmage from White Plains, made its appearance, to the great
joy of Fairfielders, and encamped upon the green, where the smouldering
embers of the court-house fired them with indignation and revenge.
When they had taken leave Captain Sturges, who commanded a com-
pany of militia at Fairfield, planted a field piece in front of the Jonathan
Bulkley house, " & informed Mrs. Bulklcy that he would allow her a
short time to clear the house, & unless she left it would blow her to
atoms." Word was immediately sent to Colonel W'hiting at Holland
Hill by Mrs. Bulkley for protection. When Colonel Whiting arrived
upon the green he found no less than about one hundred and fifty men
by the cannon, whom he ordered to disperse, threatening the penalty of
placing them under guard unless they obeyed him, which they reluct-
antly did, only at the command of their superior officer. How much
Mrs. Bulkley was to be blamed for the part she took through the treach-
ery of her brother, George Hoyt, who piloted the British to Fairfield,
history does not state.

The heroic women who remained in the town to defend their homes
and firesides as best they could will always hold an honored place in the
history of Fairfield. Among these heroines was the wife of Lieutenant
Isaac Jarvis. who commanded the Fort Black Rock. Her maiden name
was Ellen Gold. She was descended from Major Nathan Gold, and on
her mother's side from Ellen Burr, a descendant of the Burr family, so

* Rev. Dr. 'rimulliy Dwighl's Travels.

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 395

that she inherited the patriotic characteristics of her distinguished an-
cestors. She was but twelve years of age when the spirit of independence
stirred the hearts of the colonists to throw off the despotism of Great
Britain. " Such was her zeal after the war broke out, that she would
rise in the night to prepare & bake bread & food for the soldiers at the
fort; or to dispense it among the troops passing through the town."
On the night of the burning of Fairfield a British of^cer was wounded
near where she resided, and she was asked to allow him to be brought
into her house. She refused to do anything unless a promise was given
that her family and all their belongings should be protected from harm.
In her womanly and dignified Christian character, she showed mercy to
a wounded soldier, although an enemy; and one who that night had al-
lowed his soldiers to pillage and burn the homes of her friends and rela-
tives. This young heroine was born August 2, 1761. It was her fate
to marry three officers. Captain Isaac Jarvis, Captain Samuel Squire and
Lieutenant Aaron Turney. Three times she was left a widow, and after
the close of the Revolution was awarded three pensions for the services
of her three husbands, which caused her to be regarded by her neighbors
a wonderfully fortunate woman.*

The testimony of other heroines who remained in the town on that
night of agony and desolation has been preserved in the State Records.!

In the Congregational parish records the following entries were
made by the Rev. Andrew Elliott :

" 1779. July 7th. Our holy & our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee,
is burnt up with fire, & all our pleasant things are laid waste. The Lord gave & the
Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.

"All things work together for good to them that love God — to them who are called
according to his purpose.

"Alleluia!
" The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

"AMEN."

The members of the Church of England, after the great exertion they
had made to erect one of the handsomest churches in the State, not only

* She had but one child, a. little daughter who died at an early a<je, and her heart was so over-
whelmed with grief that she could not be comforted. She would sit before the picture of her child
and weep and mourn until her family became solicitous for her health ; and according to their ideas
of idol worship, the picture was hidden away, and the poor mother never saw it again. After her
death the house was torn down, and in a closet over the parlor mantelpiece a portrait of a lovelX
young child was found. The house of Mrs. Turney stood opposite the present Episcopal rectory.

f Rec. State Conn., 2, 553-561. Appendix No. i.

396 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

had their church destroyed, but the sacred silver service and parish
records were also lost. It is said that on the Sunday after the burning
of the town, services were held in the house of Mr. Abraham Bulkley, one
of the three houses on the east side of the Meeting-house Green, which
had been saved from fire. The Rev. Mr. John Sayre, having suffered
imprisonment and afterwards confined within the county limits, on ac-
count of his attachment to the British government, having appeared be-
fore his house with a flag of truce, hoping as a royalist to receive pro-
tection from the English, again risked the indignation of the townsmen.
With a wafe and eight children, he threw himself on the mercy and
protection of General Tryon, and was permitted to sail on one of the
enemy's ships to New York.

]\Ir. Sayre thus wrote from Flushing, L. I., November 8, 1779, to the Secretary of
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel :

"On the 7th day of July last Major-General Tryon landed at Fairfield with a body
of his Majesty's troops, and took possession of the town and its environs, the greater part
of the inhabitants having tackled their teams and removed what they could on his ap-
proach. This cut off all hopes from the few Loyalists of saving any part of their effects
if the town should be burnt, every carriage being taken away. The General was so kind,
however, as to order me a guard to protect my house and some others in its vicinity,
when he had resolved to commit the rest of the town to flames; for, as I had already
hinted, I had determined to remain at home. But the ungovernable flames soon extended
to them all, and in a few minutes left me with a family consisting of my wife and eight
children, destitute of food, house and raiment. Thus reduced, I could not think of re-
maining in a place where it would have been impossible to have clothed and refurnished
my family. Therefore, availing myself of the protection afforded by the present oppor-
tunity (from the want of carriages) to save anything out of the house, the valuable little
library given me by the Society, was burnt, together with my own; and the Plate belong-
ing to Trinity Church at Fairfield was lost, as well as that of my family; and that hand-
some Church itself was entirely consumed.

" The people of that Mission met with a heavy stroke in the loss of their Church,
Parsonage-house, plate, books, etc., not to mention myself, their unworthy minister. My
own loss includes my little all ; but what I most regret is my absence from my flock, to
which my heart was and still is most tenderly attached. I trust, however, that the Great
Shepherd of the Sheep will keep them in His own tuition and care. I bless the Lord for
that, through all my trials, I have endeavored to keep a conscience void of offence to-
wards God and towards man, continually striving to discharge my duties to my Master,
my King and my people ; and am bound to thank the Lord daily, for that divine protec-
tion, that tranquility of mind, and that peace of conscience, which, through His grace, I
have all along enjoyed."

Mr. Sayre also related in his letter that while a prisoner on bounds,
he ceased to use all parts of the liturgy which referred to the King, royal
family and the mother country, confining himself "to reading from the

1779] THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 397

Old & New Testaments & the Psalms, & expounding either parts of the
catechism, or some passages of holy Scripture."*

The unhappy residents of Fairfield bravely endured the loss of their
homes, and temporarily improved out-buildings, raised simple structures
or built upon old sites. Many of those who lost their homes and were
subject at all times to be plundered by the enemy, removed to Greenfield,
Redding, Norfield or Weston and Easton, or settled upon the long-lots
which they had inherited from their forefathers. Their spirits had not
been crushed, as the British expected ; on the contrary, a keen bitterness
and resentment filled their hearts, and they preferred death to surrender-
ing to so cruel a foe. Men who stand ready to fight a foe are willing to
await the result in battle encountered face to face, man against man, but
when the sacredness of their homes are invaded, their wives and children
abused, insulted and left homeless by wanton destruction, the tender
spirit of love for them is roused to a death struggle with such a foe, in
which no compromise is to be expected.

On the 20th of July the citizens of Fairfield met in town meeting,
when it was

" Voted that Jonathan Lewis, Thaddeus Burr, George Burr, Samuel Wakeman, Jon-
athan Sturges, Esq., Messrs. Joseph Wakeman, Richard Hubbell, Jr., Daniel Duncan &
David Silliman be a committee to put about subscriptions to raise a sum of money, as
a reward for any person or persons that shall captivate or take prisoner General William
Tryon, who commanded the British troops when they burnt this town on the seventh and
eighth days of this July instant. And the said committee issue a proclamation offering
such reward as shall be subscribed for that purpose." A committee was also appointed
" to wait upon Col. Jonathan Dimon & desire 25 men to keep guard at Green's Farms,
& 15 men to keep guard at Stratfield; also to request him to appoint such men as are
friendly to the interests of the United States of America."

On August 5th Governor Trumbull, with the advice of the Council
of Safety, issued a Brief for calling contributions for the relief of the
sufiferers at New Haven, Norwalk and Fairfield. f

The patriotic ladies of Fairfield redoubled their elTorts to assist the
Sons of Liberty to crush the British cause. No homespun was ever
woven with greater skill or cheerfulness; no spinning-wheel ever spun

* Hist. Prot. Episcopal Church, by Bishops Perry and Hawkes, Vol. 2, pp. 204-209.

The mistake has often been made of confusing the Rev. John Sayre with his brother, Rev.
James Sayre. The latter was stationed over the churches of Newport, R. I., Woodbury and| Strat-
ford, Conn., but he had never had charge of the Fairfield parish. — Hist. Discourse of Trinity
Church, Fairfield, Conn., by Rev. N. E. Cornwall, 185 1.

f Rec. State Conn., 2, 447.

398 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

out more yarn for the soldiers' clothing, and no tlax ever raised with
greater industry for their comfortable garments. Morning, noon and
night saw them busy carding and spinning wool and weaving linen from
flax. The spirit of liberty was woven into each turn of the wheel and
each stitch of sewing and knitting-needle.

The men of Fairfield were fired to greater deeds of courage.

It is related of " Captain Caleb Brewster of Black Rock, who with 3 whale-boats
about midway of the Sound against Fairfield met 3 of the enemy's boats, when an en-
gagement commenced. The boat that opposed Brewster had a small piece & was to
leeward; there was a fresh gale, & Brewster reserving his fire till within 8 or 10 rods of
Hoyt poured in a broadside & then another, & boarded; there was a large Irishman in the
enemy's boat, who walked several times fore & aft brandishing his broadsword, till Hassel-
ton, a mighty fellow from the State of Massachusetts, snatched it from him & cut his throat
from ear to ear; he died immediately. Capt. Brewster being wounded was several times
struck on the back with the steel rammer of a gun by Hoyt. On board of Hoyt's boat
all but one were killed or wounded. In Brewster's boat 4 were wounded — one (Judson
Sturges) mortally. Another of our boats had a swivel which killed 2 men at one shot
in another of the enemy's boats, & they immediately surrendered ; the enemy's third boat
escaped."*

It has also been related of Captain Brewster, that before sailing on a privateering
cruise his wife had presented him with twelve new linen shirts. His ship or boat was
taken by the enemy. Brewster darted down into the cabin, lashed his new shirts to his
back, returned to the deck, and jumping overboard swam to the shore.

" Capt. Brewster was also at the capture of Thomas, who commanded a privateer of
the enemy mounting 14 guns, & manned with 35 men. Our vessel had about 70 men.
The enemy hailed & ordered them to bring to. ' Aye, aye, presently.' ' Bring to, I say.'
' Aye, aye.' And running their bowsprit across them about midships, the sailing master,

Hezekiah Gold, exclaimed: ' Strike, strike , or I'll sink you.' Of the enemy

9 were killed & 5 wounded, not one of ours was hurt ; they were taken off Stratford-
point & carried into Black Rock; they had taken 2 row-boats bearing the Continental flag
that morning & had the men in their hold."t

A County Convention, which had been agreed upon, was held at
Redding on the loth of August, 1779.

The committee from Fairfield consisted of Thaddeus Burr. Esq.,
Messrs. Peter Perry, Ebenezer Silliman, Samuel Odell, Nathan Seely,
Thomas Nash, Joseph Wakeman, James Rennet, David Wakeman, Heze-
kiah Bradley, Albert Sherwood. Daniel Duncan. IJcnjamin Dean, Eph.
Lyon, Nathan W'heeler, Jr.. David Silliman. L. Nathan Williams.

The General Assembly met at Hartford. October i4tli. Ca])lain

* Wheeler Journal, Related by Captain Hrewster. Caleb Hrewster was a descendant of Rodger
T.udlow and Elder Hrewster. A descendant of the latter, Rev. Nathaniel Hrewster, married I.ud.
low's daughter Sarah and settled at Brookhaven, L. I., in 1665. — See Vol. I, Hist. Fairfield, 319.

f William Wheeler's Journal. — Related to him " by John Skinner, a soldier who was present."

17791 THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 399

Samuel Squire and Captain Samuel W'akeman represented Fairfield.
One of the first acts passed was that owing to the burning of the jail at
Fairfield all criminals from the town should be sent to the county jails
of New Haven or Litchfield.*

Intelligence from General Washington of the hourly expected arrival
of the Count D'Estaing with an armament from France, and the im-
portance of raising troops to cooperate with his forces against the enemy
for the speedy reduction of New York and on the coast of the United
States, the Assembly voted to immediately raise, arm and ecjuip four
thousand militia, including the two regiments already raised in May.
The newdy-raised men were to be formed into six regiments or battalions.
They were drafted from the Second. Sixth and Fourth Brigades to form
one brigade, to be placed under the command of Brigadier-General An-
drew Ward, and to serve the United States under the command of
General Washington. t For the sustenance of these troops and those
under the Count D'Estaing. by request of General Washington, it was
voted to raise fourteen thousand bushels of rye or meslin, 3.500 of which
was to be supplied by Fairfield County and 475 of which was to be from
the town of Fairfield. +

A tax of six shillings on the pound was levied on the polls and tax-
able estates in the State for i/yS.^

Mr. Thaddeus Burr presented a memorial from the inhabitants of
Fairfield for some compensation for their great loss by the burning of
the town. A committee was appointed " to make an estimate of the
losses of every individual in Fairfield ... to abate the taxes either
in \\hole or in part." ||

At a meeting of the Governor and Council of Safety at Lebanon,
November 23d, a letter was read from General Washington of the de-
feat of the Count D'Estaing and General Lincoln's forces at Savannah,
October 9th, that the Count was slightly wounded in the arm and legs
and that Count Pulaski had been killed; in consequence of which the
order for raising four thousand militia was countermanded.

While Fairfield and the neighboring towns were suffering from the
devastation of the British, on the 15th of July General Washington re-
solved to recover the fortifications of Stony Point and Verplanck at

* Rec. Stale Conn. I, 404. f Rec. State Conn. I. 406.

I Rec. State Conn., 2, 409. § Rec. State Conn., 2, 413.

II Rec. State Conn., 2, 423. Appendi.x No. 2.

400 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i779

King's Ferry on the Hudson, which had been taken by the British June
1st. This was accomphshed under the command of General Wayne on
the night of the 15th of July. By this victory the regular communica-
tions between the east and west were recovered. The British loss was
63 killed and 543 taken prisoners, while that of the United States forces,
were 15 killed and 83 wounded. Wayne destroyed this fort before the
British could have time to attack him and retreated, for which gallant
action Congress awarded him a gold medal.

In August General Sullivan with 5,000 men devastated and destroyed
the Indian villages of the Iroquois from the Susquehanna to the Genesee,
" thus inflicting a merciless attack upon them for their butcheries at
Wyoming, where no mercy had been shown by the hatchet & none by
the fire-brand."

Another expedition was sent by the British against Virginia under
General Mathews, who with 2,500 men took possession of Portsmouth
and Norfolk, where he destroyed naval ships, other vessels and private
property valued at two million dollars, " carrying off a large quantity
of tobacco."

Meanwhile Spain had joined the alliance against England, hoping to
regain Gibraltar. Her ships united with those of France swept the British
seas, inflicting great loss and damage.

During these exciting events a spirit of revenge for the burning of
Fairfield inflamed the breasts of the inhabitants, and many daring deeds
against the enemy were undertaken.

The trials through which our brave grandsires and their heroic wives
and children passed only nerved them to greater strength of will and
purpose in the maintenance of the cause of liberty. Like the Phoenix
of old, which, rising out of the ashes of the dead bird, soared away to
lay the old nest upon the altar of the sun, and then returned to build
itself a new nest, so the brave sons of Fairfield, having laid their dear
old home nests upon the altar of fire, returned to build new homes,
around the hearths of w^hich their children and children's children should
relate the trials and the courage of their brave sires.

CHAPTER XV
1780 — 1790

END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES

1780 — Severity of winter. — General Assembly Officers. — Embargo on Provisions. — Recruits and
bounty. — Hartford sends money to Fairfield sufferers. — Order to exchange prisoners, — Fourth
Regiment officers. — Payment of Rills of Credit. — New issue of Bills of Credit. — Taxes. —
Order to borrow- money on State credit. — Effort to sustain State credit. — Tax to rebuild Fair-
field Court-house. — Legal rights granted to holder of French estates in America. — Bills of
Congress and Connecticut made legal tender. — Jonathan Buckley's petition for release as
British prisoner granted. — Value of estates at Fairfield. — Order to exchange General Silliman
and other prisoners. — Mrs. Silliman's account of the exchange. — Ammunition sent to Fairfield.
— Exchange of grain, etc., with Boston for building materials — Depreciation of currency. —
Efforts to relieve the depression. — Tax at Fairfield. — Account of currency by W. Wheeler. —
Causes of depreciation. — Efforts of the British to sustain a spirit of cheerfulness. — Its failure.
— Patriotism of American women. — Congress calls upon Connecticut for supplies. — Large
bounties offered for recruits. — Supplies of food, etc., from Fairfield — Indians of Golden Hill.
— The visit of Major Talmage to Fairfield and his victory at Fort George, L. I. — Capt. Caleb
Brewster's brave deeds. — Victories of Paul Jones. — Money and articles sent from Hartford to
Fairfield sufferers. — Companies sent from Fairfield to assist Greenwich. — Destruction and
plunder of privateers — Burning of mills at Mill Plain. — Troops raised for Continental army.
— General Washington's visit to Wethersfield with French Counts to carry on war. — Treason of
Benedict Arnold. — Capture of Major Andre. — Patriotism and industry of Fairfield women. —
1781. — Washington's efforts to clothe and provide for army. — Death of CJen. Israel Putnam. —
Agent sent from Connecticut to borrow money from France. — March ist. Final ratification
of articles of confederation between States. — Great rejoicing. — Fairfield officers. — Resolve to
regain the South. — Battle of Cowpens, King's Mountain, Guilford Court-house, and Eutaw
Springs. — Brilliant victories of General Green. — Plundering of Cornwallis and Arnold in Vir-
ginia.— General Lafayette's forces in Virginia. — Washington's plan for taking New York. — His
resolve to march to Virginia. — The French fleet in Chesapeake Bay. — Clinton's attack on
Tarrytown — Benedict Arnold's attack on New London. — Washington reaches Vorktown. —
Position of the P>ench army and fleet. — Position of the American army. — Bravery of Connecti-
cut troops. — Duke of Lauzun prevents Cornwallis' escape. — Storming of Yorktown. — Surrender
of Cornwallis. — Accounts of the surrender. — Great rejoicing throughout the country. — General
Clinton's tardy effort too late. — Washington's proclamation of pardon to criminals. — Washing-
ton appoints day of thanksgiving and prayer for victory — Signing articles of peace at Versailles
and Paris. — Boundaries of the United States established. — Fisheries secured. — Washington's
proclamation of peace. — Disbands his army. — Fairfield officers belonging to the Order of Cin-
cinnati.— British evacuate New York. — Bravery of P'airfield troops and energetic loyalty
towards independence. — Fairfield town meeting. — Tories not allowed to return. — Rebuilding
of Congregational and Episcopal churches, private residences. Academy, and jail. — Equal
rights granted to all classes of Christians. — Sale of Connecticut land west of Pennsylvania
granted to the support of churches and schools. — First newspaper of Fairfield. — Newiield's
26

402 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1780

(Bridgeport) rapid growth. — Fairfield a centre of legal and intellectual culture. — Gentlemen of
note.

1780. The winter of 1780 was one of great severity. "The severe
cold quieted in some measure our fears from an attack; & made the
enemy in New York tremble in their turn for fear our men should march
on the ice & attack them; & affording us a long season of sleighing.
Thus graciously did a kind Providence favour & defend us from an un-
relenting foe, till they were tired out."*

The General Court assembled by a special order from Governor
Trumbull January 6tli. Captains Samuel Squire and Samuel W'akeman
were present as deputies from Fairfield.

An embargo was laid upon all provisions and cattle driven or taken
out of the State, except for the use of American vessels and for the army.

An act was passed for the gradual abolition of slavery in Connecticut
in January of this year, 1780.

" Be it enacted by the Governor, Council & Representatives in the General Court
assembled & by the Authorities of the same, that no Negro, Indian or Mulatto child, under
seven years old, or who shall from the passing of this act be born within this State, who
is or might, unless by operation of this act, be repealed, a servant for life, shall by any
inhabitants of this State be held in slavitude longer than until when he or she shall
attain the age of twenty-eight years. But shall at that age be forever discharged from
such servitude ; & the owner of such negro or mulatto who shall be discharged by this
act shall no longer be held, or subject for his or her maintenance or support any law,
usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.

" That no inhabitant of the State who is or claims to be the proprietor or owner of
such Indian, negro or mulatto, shall sell, give or dispose of such servant whatsoever for
any term after this act, until he or she shall arrive at the age of 28. And every sale &
disposition contrary to this act shall be null & void. And every person making such sale
& disposition shall incur a penalty of 500 pounds lawful money in silver coin, Past in the
upper house.

" G>:or(;e Wvllvs, Sec."

A further act was passed that no Indian, negro or nuilatto now living in the State
should be sold beyond the limit of the State, under a penalty of 200 pounds lawful money
ni solid coin. — State Archives— Revolutionary War — Slaves, Vol. XXXVII, 1789.

September 29, 1788. At the annual meeting of the Quakers of Western Connecticut a
memorial was presented by them to the General Court of Connecticut against allowing
vessels from the ports of Connecticut to engage in slave trade. On the 9th of September
of the same year the Quakers of Connecticut made the same pelilion.

Conn. State Archives, Vol. XXXVII., Slaves.

* William Wlieclcr's Journal.

i78o] END OF REVOLUTIOx\. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 403

Eighteen hundred able-bodied volunteers were, by requisition of Con-
gress, ordered to be raised for the arm}-. In addition to the bounty of-
fered by Congress, the State ofifered to each recruit a bounty of three
hundred dollars, and the sum of forty shillings wages and pay during
the time they should remain in service.*

The State treasurer was authorized to deliver the sum of sixty thou-
sand pounds in Continental bills to an appointed agent, to be dispatched
to the army to induce the soldiers of the Connecticut line to re-enlist,
and to pay each recruit three hundred dollars in addition to the bounty
offered by Congress. The depreciation of Continental money at this
time was great, which accounts for the large bounties offered.

Four companies were ordered to be drafted out of General Silliman's
brigade of fifty men each for the defence of Greenwich, t

The money contributed in Hartford County for the sufferers by the
plunder and burning of Fairfield was ordered to be paid by the State
treasurer into the hands of Jonathan Sturges, to be disposed of for their
benefit.^

It was also voted " that as by divers memorials to the Assembly it
had been proposed and agreed to by the Commander-in-Chief and the
British Commissary General of Prisoners in New York for an exchange
of prisoners, by which General Silliman was to be exchanged for Judge
Jones of New York and Brigadier-Major William Silliman for Mr.
Willets, captured with Judge Jones, and one John Picket, confined in the
Hartford Jail. " This order to be carried out as speedily as convenient." §

During the sitting of the Assembly Daniel Bennett was commissioned
captain, David Silliman lieutenant, and Daniel Hill ensign of the twelfth
company in the alarm list, in the Fourth Regiment.il

In order to maintain the credit of the State in the depleted condition
of its bills of credit, it was voted, " that the notes issued in November,
1776, & the bills of credit loaned to the Assembly in 1777 & 1778, should
be paid for together with interest, to the respective lenders, in gold or
silver, or in State bills of credit, according to their full value."

Forty thousand pounds in State bills of credit were ordered to be
forthwith issued, " computing every six shillings of such bills to be equal
to one Spanish milled dollar or other coin in like proportion," to be

* Rec. State Conn., 2, 452. f Rec. State Conn., 2, 456.

X Rec. State Conn., 2, 465. § Rec. State Conn., 2, 46G.

I Rec. State Conn., 2, 473.

404 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1780

redeemed by the first day of March, 1784, with interest of five pounds
per ccntnm per annum from March, 1780." A tax of sixpence on the
pound was levied on all polls and taxable estates in the colony, to be
paid on the taxable list of 1782, by January i, 1784.

Another tax of twelve shillings on the pound was levied, payable in
Continental money June ist, to be collected on the tax list of 1778;
and still another tax of twelve shillings on the pound of Continental
money, payable November ist, on the list of 1779. A provision was
made that any person paying the last three taxes " should have
lil)erty to discharge the same upon paying one-thirtieth part of this
sum, either in State bills of credit or in coin according to its computed
value."

It was also resolved to borrow one million pounds, " on the faith Si.
credit of the Stale." or Continental bills, and that any person who should
deposit in the hands of the State treasurer, for the use of the State, any
sum in 1)ills of the United States, not less than one hundred and eighty
])ounds at its nominal value, should receive from the State one-thirtieth
part of the same so deposited, in silver or gold, computing Spanish milled
dollars or other coin, as aforesaid, within six years after such sum should
be deposited; and receive annually an interest of six pounds per centum
per annum either in gold or silver coin, computed as aforesaid, or in bills
of credit of the State not bearing an interest of less than four pounds
per centum per annum as aforesaid, and redeemable within seven years
after the same shall be emitted by the Assembly ; and such loans to the
State should be exempted from taxation.

A stringent law was also passed to maintain the value of the public
money against persons attem])ting to depreciate its value. .\n act was
also j^assed instructing a conmiittee a]')pointc(l to sign the issue of State
bills, " & to prepare a suitable number of bank notes of various denomina-
tions from nine pence to forty shillings, properly indented & delivered
to the State Treasurer, to be signed by him, to be delivered to such
persons as shall deposit or loan bills of the conuuon currency." The
treasurer was recpiired to record all sums loaned to the State by each
individual, and not to dispose of them exce])t as he slumld be specially
directed by the Assembly. Suitable deductions as usual were made for
persons inca])able of paying these taxes in whole or in part.*

A tax of one sliilling on the pound was voted, March 2, 1780. on all

* Rcc. State Conn., 2, 477-481.

i78o] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 405

the polls and ratable real estate of the inhabitants of the town of Fair-
field, to pay the expenses of building a new court-house, and other neces-
sary debts.

A more beautiful court-house was erected than the former one had
been. The high bench of the Judge, the seats of the advocates and
jurors and the witness-boxes were all ornamented with fine carved work,
such as we see nowadays only upon old pieces of furniture and in the few
dwellings of our oldest inhabitants.

The act of Congress passed January 14, 1780, giving the subjects of
his most Christian Majesty the King of France the privilege of disposing
and settling their estates under the 13th article of the treaty with France
was confirmed by this Assembly, giving them liberty to dispose of their
estates within the limits of the State of Connecticut; and that the estates
of such of them as were deceased, " shall descend to, & become the es-
tates of their heirs & legal representatives, according to the laws, usages
& customs of the Kingdom of France, without being obliged to obtain
letters of naturalization."*

Another act was passed repealing the law for supporting the cretlit
and currency of the bills of credit emitted by Congress and the Connecti-
cut State bills of credit; and it was further enacted: " that all bills here-
after emitted by Congress or by the General Assembly of Connecticut
shall be a legal tender as money in all payments within this State accord-
ing to their current value, to which all courts within this State are to
conform themselves — provided, nevertheless, that bills of credit here-
tofore emitted by the United States shall remain a legal tender at the
nominal value, to answer for debts due from the inhabitants of this State
to their creditors of other States, until such time as the State or States
to which such creditors belong shall make similar laws to promote equal
justice." Printed copies of these acts were ordered to be distributed in
each town in the State.f

A memorial from Jonathan Bulkley of Fairfield was presented to the
Assembly, stating " that he had been made a prisoner in July by the
British troops, & been lately held a prisoner upon parole of honor, pray-
ing for relief, &c." The Assembly " resolved that said Jonathan Bulkley
be, & he is hereby permitted to return home, there to remain under
the care & direction of the civil authorities & selectmen of the town of
Fairfield : Provided that the liberty hereby granted shall not be construed

* Rec. State Conn., 2, 481. t Kcc. State Conn., 2, 482.

4o6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1780

to affect the obligations he is under by virtue of his parole to the enemy-
given while in their power."*

The polls and taxable estates of Fairfield, taken in October of 1779,
were valued at £46,324 i8s. ^d.

At a meeting of the Governor and Council of Safety, holden at Hart-
ford, February 12th, it was agreed that the prisoners of war proposed
to be exchanged for General Silliman and for his son, Major William
Silliman, *' who is come out on parole," and others, should be effected
through Captain Samuel Torrence and Ebenezer Talman of Woodbury,
who were to bring out the State prisoners from New York in exchange
for British prisoners; General Washington was notified of this resolu-
tion, and that Judge Jones would be sent forward as soon as he had so
far recovered from his lameness as to be able to bear the journey. t

The following account is given in Mrs. Silliman's diary to her son
Benjamin of General Silliman's return to Fairfield :

" The British stood out a long time, but at last consented if in addition to Judge Jones
they might have one Washburn, a noted bad character, a Tory, that we had taken during
the war, if he might be put with Jones, it might make weight. This was finally agreed
on, & Judge Jones was sent for from Middletown, & a vessel hired by us to take him in,
& the same to bring your father if they would let him come. We agreed if they ob-
tained him, two flags should be hoisted when they returned, that we might certainly know
whether he was coming. The vessel sailed with Judge Jones about eight o'clock in the
morning from our harbour. They had a fine wind, & I saw them go with great rapidity;
& we hoped that in two or three days we should receive him, who had been so long
separated from us. But about one o'clock we saw the same vessel returning; & to our
surprise saw two flags ; this we could not understand, as we knew they had not had time
to go to New York. The fact was, the same day we were sending the Judge oflf, they at
New York were sending oflf your father, & the vessels met. Their flag of truce hailed
curs, & asked if they had Judge Jones on board ? ' Yes. Well, we have Gen. Silliman too,'
was the answer; & they soon boarded each other. . . . When ours came in call of
our fort & battery at Black Rock, one called to know if they had Gen. Silliman on board,
he then leaped on deck, & waved his hat, at which there was so loud a shout we heard
them plainly at the house ; then all the cannon was fired oflf ; & the same took place when
he landed at the wharf. It was very pleasing to us at the house, as well as to your
father, to see such testimonials of joy at his return; many of the people waited on him
to his own house. . . . After this a subaltern oflficer was at our house every night
for a long time, & we had frequent alarms, & I was ever afterwards afraid of having the
past disagreeable scene acted over again. The guard was ordered by the Governor. After
this I don't remember that he ever went out on any campaign, but liad the care as before,
of all the coast in Fairfield County."

By order of the Govertior and Council six barrels of musket-powder

* Kec. State Conn., 2, 492. f l<ec. State Conn., 2, 503.

i78o] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 407

belonging to the State were ordered to be delivered to the selectmen of
Fairfield. On March 26th the Governor and Council gave permission
to Captain Stephen Thorp in behalf of the townsmen of Fairfield and
Norwalk, to carry grain, flour and provisions to the eastward in exchange
for boards, glass, etc., to enable them to build houses.*

The currency of the United States continued to depreciate to such
an extent that in order to maintain the credit of the States Congress
issued an act or resolution, March i8th, in which they set forth the con-
dition of the country:

" These United States having been driven into this just & necessary war, at a time
vi'hen no regular civil governments were established of sufficient energy to enforce the
collection of taxes, or to provide funds for the redemption of such bills of credit as their
necessities obliged them to issue, & before the powers of Europe were sufficiently con-
vinced of the justice of their cause or of the probable events of the controversy to afford
them aid or credit. In consequence of which, their bills increased in quantity beyond the
sum necessary for the purpose of a circulating medium; & wanting at the same time specific
funds to rest on for their redemption, they have seen them daily sink in value, notwith-
standing every effort that has been made to support the same ; insomuch as they are now
passed by common consent in most parts of the United States, at least thirty-nine-forticths
below their nominal value, & still remain in a state of depletion, whereby the community
suffers great injustice, the public finances are deranged, & the necessary disposition of
the defences of the country are much impeded & perplexed. And, as effectually to remedy
the evils for which purpose the United States are now become competent, their independence
well assured, their civil government established & vigorous, & the spirit of their citizens
ardent for exertion, it is necessary speedily to reduce the quantity of paper medium in
circulation, & to establish & appropriate funds that shall insure the punctual redemption
of the bills. Therefore resolved : that the several States continue to bring into the Con-
tinental treasury by taxes or otherwise, their full quota of fifteen million dollars annually,
as assignee' them by the resolution of the seventh of October, 1779, a clause in the resolve
of the 23d of February last for relinquishing two-thirds of said quotas to the contrary
notwithstanding; & that the States be called on to make provision for continuing to bring
into the said treasury their like quotas monthly to the month of April, 1781, inclusive. That
silver & gold shall be received at the rate of one Spanish milled dollar in lieu of forty dol-
lars of the bills now in circulation. That the said bills as paid in, except for January &
February, which may be necessary for the discharge of past contracts be not reissued, but
destroyed; & funds be established to be issued, not to exceed one twentieth part of the
nominal sum of the bills brought in to be destroyed. That the new bills to be redeemable
in specie within six years from the date of issue, & bear an annual interest of five /rr
centum fcr annum, to be paid in specie at the redemption of the bills or at the election
of the holder annually at the respective continental loan offices, in sterling bills of exchange,
drawn by the United States on their commissioners in Europe at four shillings six pence
sterling per dollar, etc. These new bills to be issued on the funds of individual States,
were ordered to be signed by committees appointed for that purpose, on the pledged
faith of each State; & in case any State, by the events of war should be rendered in-

* Rec. State Conn., 2, 510.

4o8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1780

capable to redeem them, the faith of the United States be .also pledged for the payment
of the said bills; which undertaking of the United States, & that of drawing bills of
exchange for payment of interest as aforesaid, shall be endorsed on the bills to be emitted
& signed by a Commissioner to be appointed by Congress for that purpose. As soon as
the new bills were signed, each State was to retain six-tenths of its bills issued & the
remainder made subject to the orders of the United States, & credited to the States on
whose funds they were issued, the account of which to be adjusted according to the reso-
lution of the 6th of October, 1779. The several States were called upon to provide funds
for their quotas of the new bills, ' to be so productive as to sink or redeem one-sixth part
of them annually after the first of January, 1781.' "

The General Assembly met at Hartford, April 13th. In their session in January they
had not anticipated that the bills of the United States currency had depreciated more
than twenty-nine-thirtieths below the nominal value of the State of Connecticut; yet as
the mean discount of the currency within the United States had been declared on the i8th
of March, less than thirty-nine-fortieths below the nominal value of said bills, it was
voted : " That this Assembly do therefore approve of Congress having ascertained the dis-
count of said bills upon general principles mentioned in their said act," and being fully
convinced of the expediency of having the said bills called in and destroyed, and also of
the necessity of having the public credit established upon just and permanent principles,
which this assembly are confident will be fully effected in case the measures recommended
by Congress to the several States shall be adopted ; it was resolved that although Congress
had recommended to Connecticut " an over-proportion of the common debt belonging to
the State," but being fully persuaded it would be properly adjusted in the future, it was de-
clared, " that as fast as the circumstances of the State would permit to call in & deliver
to be destroyed so many of the bills of the common currency of the United States as Con-
gress has requested this State to call in & cancel ; & that this Assembly will establish &
appropriate certain & sufficient funds to redeem the bills of public credit, under the act
of Congress, of March i8th." To carry out which, " a tax was granted of seven pence on
the pound on the polls & taxable estates within the State on the list of 1780, to be paid
into the treasury December 31, 1781. Five other taxes were granted of seven pence on
the pound on each respective list which sliouid he brought in from the year 1781 to 1785.
inclusive, to be paid in yearly on the 31st of Decenil)er, from 1782 to 1786 inclusive." These
taxes were to be paid in " from the new issue of bills of credit on the faith of the State
and under the authority of the United States, according to the act of Congress March
18, 1780, or in Spanish milled dollars, computing each dollar at six shillings lawful money,
or in lawful current coins of gold and silver in that proportion; that as fast as any of
the bills issued upon the faith of the State were collected by any of these taxes, they
should be destroyed by an appointed committee ; and any collected bills of the United
States be exchanged for State bills. " All specie or as much of it as might be necessary
which shall be collected from the taxes was to be appropriated to redeem the bills issued
upon the credit of the State as aforesaid ; "■ which shall not otherwise be collected into the
hands of the Treasurer & destroyed ; & that the Treasurer shall pay the specie so collected
upon application of the possessor of such bills as shall have issued upon the credit of the
State after the 3i.st of December, 1786." "Six-tenths of the new bills of credit were to
be retained for the use of the State, & four-tenths left on deposit in the hands of the
Loan Office of the United States in this State." A further tax was granted of twelve
shillings on the pound in bills of the common currency of the Lhiitcd States, on the list
of 1779. payable to the State treasury September, 1780: " Provided that any person charged
in any taxes for bills of common cvirrency of tlie I'nited States sliall have liberty to (lis-

1780I END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 409

charge the same by paying one-fortieth part tliereof in gold or silver coin as aforesaid,
or in bills of public credit which have or shall issue upon the faith of this or any of the
United States, according to the act of Congress passed on the 18. of March last, or in bills
issued by the General Assembly of this State on the 6th of January." It was further pro-
vided : " that the last issue of bills of credit in January might be exchanged for the new
issue ordered by Congress March i8th." The Treasurer was instructed that after receiving
by exchange taxes or any other payment in the bills of January 6th he should not reissue
them, but retain them in his hands to be destroyed. The act to borrow one million dollars
on the credit of the State in January was repealed.*

The civil authorities of each town were authorized to abate in full
or in part the taxes of those least able to pay them " or one-twentieth
part of their town's proportion."

At a town meeting held at Fairfield, June 19th, Thaddeus Burr being
moderator, it was voted: "that there be a rate of one penny lawful
money on the pound raised on all the polls and ratable estates of the
inhabitants of this town to be paid in bills of credit lately emitted bv
this State, or in silver or gold, or in Continental bills at the rate of forty
to one, & that the selectmen pay to each soldier that shall voluntarily
enlist into the Continental service during the war. or for three years, the
sum of ten pounds out of said rate. & the remainder of sd. rate to defray
the expenses of the town." t

Jn the journal of a gentleman living at Black Rock at the time of
the Revolution, he states: " Continental money from September i, 1777.
till March, 1780, fell from full value to 40 for i, or, he that in 1777 re-
ceived 1,000 dollars & kept it till 1780, or 2^ years, it would be w^orth
only twenty-five dollars, by which many were ruined.":}:

* State Rec. Conn., I, 5 [6-521. f Fairfield Town Records.

J " A young lady in Fairfield had five sheep left lier by her father, and the money for which
they were sold depreciating, it purchased only a roll for her head dress made of wool or tow to
comb her hair over." This gentleman gives the following as " Fragiiieiits of a Song" made at
that time :

" The roll it is worn by the great and the small,

By girls and ladies and squaws and all :

The fleece is all lost and the sheep are all dead ;

And the wool it is worn on the P'emale head ;

And what our poor army will do for clothes.

There is not a mortal among us that knows.

Let them take down their rolls and pull out the tow ;

It will clothe a whole army we very well know ;

And when you have made so brave a beginning,

Then take to your cards, and so to your spinning.*

He goes on to relate "that when Connecticut State money fell about half, my father had a
good many dollars of this, and for fear of being robbed stuck it up in the garret between the rafters

4IO HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ['"So

The causes which led to this great depreciation in the Continental
money were many. From its first issue, in 1775, extreme opposition was
raised against it. Commerce and trade had been almost entirely para-
lyzed. The country was without allies, and had been plunged into a war
with one of the most powerful nations, whose ships swept the sea, cap-
turing many prizes. Every effort was made which art and malice could
put forth by the enemy and the Tory element throughout the colonies
to prevent its circulation. For nearly a year, however, it passed upon
a par with gold and silver, until the amount of its issue became so great
as to depreciate its value, but not its credit or its circulation. " The
lower it depreciated until it fell to four & to one, the more extensive &
freely it circulated, insomuch that the most acknowledged Tories sold
gold for it, at the above exchange, & put it into the funds or locked it
up in their chests." Another cause for this depreciation was the reso-
lution of Congress to call in the emissions of bills of credit in 1777 and
1778 out of circulation. "This was the first shock the money received.
Hundreds suffered by it, and although its quantity was diminished by
it, yet it fell in a few weeks to four & in a few months from twenty to
one." The people began to demand gold or silver, or hard money, as
it was called, and tradesmen refused to open their shops or to sell goods
unless paid in coin.

In order to bring about a spirit of cheerfulness during this distress-
ing war and financial depression, efforts were made by the British officers
encouraging social gatherings where they were stationed.

" Their efforts did not avail, however, & they proved but dull & gloomy meetings :
the men played cards, but the women but seldom were persuaded to dance. Even in their
dresses the females seemed to bid us defiance ; the gay toys which are imported here they
despise; they wear their own home-spun manufactures; & take care to have on their breast
knots & even on their shoes something which resembles the flag of the thirteen stripes. An
officer told Lord Cornwallis not long ago that he believed if he had destroyed all the men
in North America, we should have enough to do to conquer the women, & added : ' I am
heartily tired of this country, & wish myself at home.' The gravity of the men & women
of our State gave them the soubriquet of ' Indigo Connecticut.' "*

A rccjuisition from Congress upon the States for sii])j)lies for the
army was also granted during the sitting of the April Assembly. The

.-ind the roof where the mice found it, and made it into a nest. There were pieces of 40 and 20
shillings, which made a warm couch for the mouse gentlemen. His silver tankard and spoons he
hid for some years in a stone wall." — William Wheeler's Journal.
* I'ennsylvania (lazette. .Moore's Diary Revolution.

i78o] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 4II

proportion called for from Connecticut was 78,400 weight of beef, 1,011
bushels of salt, 68,558 gallons of rum, 500 tons of hay.* John Squire
was appointed to purchase the proportion of supplies to be furnished
within the limits of Fairfield and Stratford. f

In order to more effectually carry out the design of the January call
for volunteers, a bounty was offered to each person who should enlist
in the State battalion of infantry during the war since the January ses-
sion, and in lieu of the premium then granted " should receive four pounds
ten shillings lawful money in State bills, or six hundred dollars in Con-
tinental currency, over & above the bounties given by Congress from
June to December i, 1781, with an entire suit of clothing, & be exempt
from taxes as many years as they should be enlisted for and continue in
the service.":}:

James Beard, Thaddeus Burr and Elijah Abel were appointed a com-
mittee to look into a report " of abuses & injuries done to Thomas &
Eunice & other Indians of Golden Hill in Stratford, &c."§

On the evening of November 23, 1780, Major Talmage returned to
Fairfield from a splendid and successful enterprise against Fort George
on Long Island, having destroyed the fort and such forage and supplies
as could not be carried away by his men or taken off by prisoners. The
following is the official account to General Washington :

" On the i6th of November, in obedience to your Excellency's orders, a detachment
of Colonel Sheldon's dismounted dragoons, under the command of Captain Edgar, were
ordered to march the next day to Fairfield, to which place I directed a number of boats
to repair. The troops arrived in the vicinity of Fairfield on the evening of the i8th, at
which place, by reason of a very severe storm, we were detained till the 21st inst., on the
evening of which, at four o'clock, I embarked the troops in eight boats, the whole number
including the crews, amounted to about eighty men. With a favorable wind we landed
safely on Long Island, at a place called the Old Man's, about eight o'clock in the evening.
After leaving about twenty men with the boats in charge of Captain Sutton, we began
our march to put your Excellency's orders into execution, but a very severe storm coming
on, however it might have favored an attack on the fort, obliged me to postpone it, as I
was well aware that attention must be paid as well to a favorable time for crossing the
Sound (which at this place more than twenty fathoms wide) as to attack the fort. I
accordingly concealed the troops till the evening of the 22d, when, at seven o'clock, we
began our march across Long Island, & at three o'clock the ne.Kt morning were within two
miles of Fort St. George at South Haven. By the most accurate information I found
that the forts & other works had been entirely completed but a few days before, & that
the garrison consisted of fifty men. It may be necessary here to observe that the works
of Fort St. George consisted of two large, strong houses, & a fort about ninety feet

* Rec. State Conn., 2, 521. f Rec. State Conn., 2, 530.

X Rec. State Conn., 2, 526. § Rec. State Conn., 2, 531.

412 HISTORY OK FAIRFIELD [1780

square, connected together by a very strong stockade or line of sharpened pickets twelve
feet long, the whole forming a triangle, the fort & houses standing in the angles. The
fort consisted of a high wall & a deep ditch, encircled with a strong abatis, leaving but one
gate, a sally-port which led directly into the grand parade within the pickets. This fort
had embrasures for six guns, though but two were mounted ; the houses were strongly
barricaded. From this description I found it necessary, small as my detachment was, to
make three different attacks at the same time. I accordingly detached Lieutenant Jackson
with sixteen men with orders to advance as near the fort as he could undiscovered, &
there to halt till the alarm was given by the advance of the detachment under the imme-
diate command. The van of the detachment, which carried axes to beat down the ob-
structions, were led by Lieutenant Brewster * directly against the new house, while the
remainder, with Captain Edgar & myself at their head, followed close after. Another
small division was directed to hie off & surround the other house; Mr. Simons bringing
up the rear, with directions to halt where the breach might be made to prevent the garri-
son from escaping. Thus prepared, the troops were put in motion precisely at four o'clock,
& contrary to my expectations the pioneers advanced within twenty yards of the works
before they were discovered. The sentinel firing, the different detachments immediately
rushed on, & passing all obstructions, met at the same instant in the centre of the fort,
where the watchword was given from all quarters at the same time. The guard in the fort
was secured; but the two houses contained the main body of the garrison, which began
to fire from the windows. I immediately ordered the troops to enter the houses, the door
of which, though strongly bolted & barred, was soon burst open, & in less than ten m.m-
utes the whole garrison were our prisoners. Being informed that a vessel lay within view
of the fort, loaded with stores, rum, wine, sugar, glass, etc., 1 detached a party who
boarded & took her. Thus master of the whole, my first object was to demolish as much
as possible their works, etc^ We accordingly set fire to the small garrison buildings,
stockade & abatis, consuming at the same time the public stores that could be collected,
including a considerable quantity of ammunition & arms, which the troops, so much
fatigued & having so long a march to make back could not carry. We remained at the
fort from four to eight o'clock in the morning, when, having destroyed as much of it as
possible we began our march back. The vessel being aground we burnt.

" I feel particularly happy that I can inform .your Excellency that we had not a man
killed in the enterprise & but one wounded ; him we brought off. The enemy's loss was
seven (7) killed & wounded, most of the latter mortally. The surprise was so complete
that before they could rally they were our prisoners.

" On our return 1 mounted ten men on the horses taken at the fort, & while Captain
Edgar marched the detachment & prisoners across the island, I filed off with Lieutenant
Brewster, to Coram, & set fire to the whole magazine of the King's forage at that place,
supposed to contain more than three hundred tons, & joined the detachment again in less
than two (2) hours. By this time the militia began to muster, but prudently avoided
coming near us. Some guns were fired but no damage received. By four o'clock in the
afternoon of the same day we reached our boats. & having embarked the troops & prisoners,
arrived safe at this place at eleven o'clock on the evening of the 23d. ihus in about
twenty-one (21) hours wc performed a march of near forty miles, took Fort St. George.
&c., &c., & in less than six hours more were landed at this place.

" 1 should be remiss in my duty should I omit to observe that the officers & soldiers
under my command behaved with the greatest fortitude & spirit, both upon their long &
fatiguing march & in the moment of action. Mr. Muirson, a volunteer upon the occasion,
* Lieut. Caleb Brewster of Black Rock.

rySo] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 413

deserves commendation. He advanced with a partj' of Lieutenant Jackson's detachment
over the abatis & wall into the fort. In tine, every order that was given was executed
with alacrity & precision."

The prisoners taken at Fort St. George were one half-pay lieutenant-colonel, one
half-pay captain, one lieutenant, one surgeon, fifty rank and file, one garrison.

The British account gives the following in the " Pennsylvania Packet, December 12th :
"A party of rebels, about eighty in number, headed, it is said, by a rebel. Major Talmage,
assisted by a certain Heathcoat, Muirson, Benjah Strong, Thomas Jackson & Caleb
Brewster, officers belonging to said party, all formerly of Long Island, came across in eight
whale-boats, &c., just after daylight arrived at Smith's Point, St. George's Manor, south
side Long Island, where they surprised a respectable body of refugees belonging to Rhode
Island & the vicinity, who were establishing a post in order to get a subsistence for them-
selves & families, &c."*

This design and its successful issue must have caused not only great
surprise, but some alleviation to the inhabitants of Fairfield for their
own sad fate, while the ruins of their homes were yet to be seen. E>ery
triumph over the enemy gave renewed hope and courage to them in their
sufferings as they experienced the prospect of a final triumph.

The remarkable victories of John Paul Jones off the coast of Eng-
land and Scotland also served to stimulate the American naval and mili-
tary men of the country.

On the 22d of April Brigadier-Generals Wolcott, Ward and Silliman
were ordered to send forward to the distressed state of the town of
Greenwich from the invasion of the British, one company, with their
officers, from each of their brigades for the defence of that post.t

On the 20th of December, 1779, the Governor and Council instructed
George Wyllys, the treasurer of Hartford County, to pay over to Joseph
Piatt Cook, Esq., " all the money & articles which were contributed in
that county for the sufferers of New Haven, Fairfield & Norwalk."t

About this time a large number of privateers of from four to twelve
guns, of the enemy and of our own, cruised the Sound, and took almost
every unarmed vessel that entered it, " thus furnishing opportunity of
plunder on both sides." Although coast guards were stationed from
Stratfield to Compo, constant raids were made both by the British and
Tories. Cattle and sheep were seized, killed and carried away; murders
were committed, so that the inhabitants all along the Sound were kept
in a constant state of terror. Retaliation followed by the Sons of Liberty,
and many armed whale-boats passed from New Field, Black Rock, Mill

* Moore's Diary of American Revolution, 870-873. f Rec. State Conn., 2d, 447.

X Rec. State Conn., 541.

414 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD fi78o

River, Green's Farms and Compo into the Sound and over to the shores
of Long Island for booty and prisoners. New Field was a particularly
noted place for the escape of Tories to cross from neighboring towns to
Long Island, although its loyal inhabitants had obtained cannon and
ammunition to erect a fort to protect its coast.*

" March 14th. Captain Hubbell of the Associated Loyalists, with his little band of
true Englishmen, on the 28th of February, with four manned whale-boats, crossed the
Sound to Compo, lying between Green's Farms, in the west parish of Fairfield, & landed
his party. Being fired upon by the occupants of two guard houses, they attacked & drove
their provincial occupants away. The militia of the neighborhood gathered quickly, &
Hubbell with his men embarked & sailed towards Mill River on the "General Wolfe"; &
on the morning of the 4th of March between 30 & 40 men manned the whale-boats &
crossed to Kenzie's Point, where, leaving the boats with a safe guard, Captain Hubbell
moved with the rest two miles up Mill River & destroyed two mills & about two hundred
barrels of flour, collected there, as they were told, for the French at Rhode Island. After
collecting a few sheep they returned to their boats." The mills belonged to the Perrys.-].

At the meeting of the October Assembly steps were taken to raise
and equip four thousand two hundred and forty-eight men and officers
to serve in the Continental army while the war lasted. Each town in the
State was ordered to furnish its proportion of troops. By an order of
Congress a convention of the northern States and New Jersey was held
at Hartford in November to consult as to the best method to fill up and
sustain the northern quotas; at which time a committee was appointed
" to agree upon some way for supplying the French army and navy in
this country with necessary provisions." Count Rochambeau and the
cavalry corps of the Duke of Lauzun were given quarters for the winter
in Windham and adjacent towns. A committee was also appointed to
provide provisions, accommodations and barracks for them at the expense
of the State.

Although the British had met with success in their southern cam-
paign, they had greatly weakened their army at the north. For this
reason General Washington, deeming it a fitting opportunity to make
an effort to recover New York, set out Septeml)er 19th for Hartford,
to confer with Governor Trumbull and his Council of War. and with
Count Rochambeau to form some plan of carrying out this design. On
the 21 St Washington held a conference at Wethersfield with Governor
Trii!nl)iil], C/ount Rochaml)eau and other prominent men. when, after
due dcliljcration, it was agreed to raise troops for another campaign.

* Wheeler's Journal. f Moore's Diary Revolulion.

i78i] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 415

On the 22(1 Count Rochambeau set out with his officers for Newport.
On the 26th Washington returned by way of Fishkill, and reached West
Point the following Monday. He was received with a mihtary salute
of thirteen guns and a hearty welcome.

On his way to West Point Washington learned of the treason of
Benedict Arnold and the capture of Major Andre. Every effort was
made to save this young English officer by Washington and many of
his friends, in offering to " exchange him for Arnold "; but the British,
who had paid Arnold a large sum of money to betray Washington and
his army at West Point and on the Hudson, did not feel that they could
honorably make the exchange, and in consequence Andre was hanged
as a spy on the 2d of October.

It was agreed by Congress to reorganize the army, and '' to furnish
fifty regiments of foot, four of artillery, two corps of rangers, one regi-
ment of artificers & four legionary corps to consist of two-third horse
& one-third foot," thus raising an army of thirty-six thousand men. Six
regiments were ordered by Congress to be raised in Connecticut for this
army.

Every effort was put forth to raise and equip the Connecticut regi-
ments. The women of Fairfield and vicinity held frequent societies, and
clothing of all kinds was made for those who enlisted. Thousands of
dollars worth of clothing was in this way contributed throughout the
country towards the support of the army.

The army sustained a great loss at this time by the sudden illness of
General Putnam, who w^as seized with an attack of paralysis in December
while on his way to Morristown, which made him an invalid during the
remainder of his life.

1 78 1. In January General Washington found it a severe strain to
hold in check the murmurings of our poorly clothed and fed army. Open
revolt took place among some of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey regi-
ments. Their term of enhstment having expired, they demanded that
they should be paid and released from further service. Their desperate
condition for want of clothing and food led them to break into open
mutiny. Congress acted without hesitation in exerting every effort to
clothe and pay the men and to make such favorable terms as to give
them satisfaction. General Putnam's men also threatened to disperse,
but he aroused their patriotism and led them to hope for better things.
And through the prudence of Washington and his chief officers quiet

4l6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD L'78i

and confidence were restored. At this critical time, although Governor
Trumbull had nobly responded in raising the sum allotted to Connecticut
towards the nine hundred thousand dollars to be raised, he found him-
self unable to furnish all that was required, and after holding a con-
ference with Washington it was agreed to send Colonel John Laurens
to France with the hope of negotiating a loan.

On the 20th of May Jonathan Lewis and over twenty-five citizens
of Fairfield petitioned the General Assembly that the salt meadows lying
between Hoit's Island, the Sea-Pine Creek and Sasco Hill be drained, the
bridge at Pine Creek repaired, and the ditches and drains cleaned and
sewered, on account of the encroachment of the water tearing away the
beach.

March i, 1781. Made memorable in the annals of America by the
final ratification in Congress of the articles of confederation and per-
petual union between the States. " This great event was announced to
the public at 12 o'clock, under the discharge of the artillery on the land
& the cannon of the shipping on the Delaware. The liells were rung &
every manifestation of joy shown on this occasion. The ' Ariel ' —
frigate — commanded by gallant Paul Jones, fired a feu-de-joie, & was
beautifully decorated with a variety of streamers in the day, and orna-
mented with a brilliant appearance of light in the night."

" At two o'clock in the afternoon his Excellency, the president of
the Congress, received the congratulations of the legislative & executive
bodies of Pennsylvania, the civil cS: military officers, & many of the prin-
cipal citizens, who partook of the collation provided on this happ}' oc-
casion. The evening was ushered in by an elegant exhibition of fire-
works."*

Meanwhile acti\'e preparations were transpiring to carry out Wash-
ington's plan to retake New York.

Colonel Beebe of Litchfield was given conniiand of the seaboard of
Connecticut. General Green had been appointed by Congress to take
connnand of the Southern army. lie reorganized his division \\ith a
view of driving the British from the south. Jle formed a junction with
General Morgan and his force of 1,000 men, and on the i/lh of January
defeated the British under Tarleton at Cowpens.

The Southerners, enraged at the cruellies practiced by the British
during the siege of Savannah, Charleston and Camden, prepared to enter

* Moore's Diarv Revolution.

I78i] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 417

into the war with more patriotic enthusiasm than before. Their im-
petuous attack and defeat of the British at King's Mountain on October
7, 1780, where the British beheved their fortifications to be impregnable,
was one of the most brilhant battles of the Revolution. This defeat so
exasperated General Cornwallis that he set out in rapid pursuit of Gene-
rals Green and Morgan; but favored by wind and rain, the American
forces, marching at the rate of thirty miles a day, succeeded in reaching
Guilford Court-house on the 14th in safety. The next morning, the
15th, the furious battle of Guilford Court-house took place, and again
the British were victorious, although they lost heavily. Cornwallis now
set out for the north, and reached Wilmington in April.

As soon as General Green had rested his weary, half fed and half
clothed army he set out for Camden, where, although the x^mericans
had been defeated, he did not give up his resolution to drive the British
from the south. He led his forces to Charleston, where, with his brave
officers, after several brilliant achievements during his march, he routed
the British at Eutaw Springs. Other successes followed, and the
Americans were once more practically in possession of the Southern
States.

Leaving the defence of South Carolina with Lord Rawdon's division
of his army, Cornwallis set out for Virginia, where, with Arnold the
traitor and Tarleton, after devastating and plundering the country dur-
ing the summer months, he collected his forces, and by orders from
Governor Clinton retired to Yorktown, which place he began to fortify,
so as, if possible, to make it impregnable.

General Lafayette had been sent to check these devastations in Vir-.
ginia, but with little success, as his forces were not of sufficient strength
for the purpose. He, however, succeeded in keeping his army of about
1,200 men together by supplying them with clothing and other neces-
saries at his own expense.

While these events were transpiring in Virginia, Washington had
been preparing his army at the north to carry out the arrangements made
at Wethersfield for the reduction of New York by a concerted action of
the allied land and naval forces. Early in July Count Rochambeau set
out with his forces from Newport and reached New Castle, Westchester
County, July 4th. The Duke of Lauzun also marched from his winter
quarters in Connecticut with his French legion to join the main army.
By July 6th the allied forces stretched from Phillipsburg, near Dobbs
27

41 8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1/3 i

Ferry, to the Bronx River. The Connecticut regiments at Phillipsburg
were under the command of General Parsons. Many of the Connecticut
troops were with Lafayette and the Counts Rochambeau and Lauzun,
of which Fairfield had contributed her proportion.

Governor Clinton had meanwhile received intercepted letters, which
revealed Washington's plan for the capture of New York. He imme-
diately began to strengthen his garrison to make every possible defence
by land and by water. He called upon Cornwallis to send to his aid
half of the troops under his command. He concentrated the British
army at King's Bridge; but aware of the strength of the allied forces,
he did not think it prudent to make an attack until he should be reinforced
by Cornwallis. He resolved, however, to harass the Americans in every
way that might lead Washington to send relief to his northern posts.

He sent a detachment of troops towards Tarrytown to capture the
stores, ammunition and cannon held in that place. General Robert Howe
was sent with a body of troops to intercept this movement, and suc-
ceeded not only in saving the stores and ordnance, but in putting to
flight the enemy's shipping. In Washington's dispatch of the 14th of
July he " praises the gallant behaviour & sjiirited action of Colonel Shel-
don and Captain Hurlburt of tlie Second Regiment of dragoons, and
Lieutenant Shaylor of the Fourth Regiment of Connecticut, as deserv-
ing the utmost distinguished applause."

While (Jovernor Clinton's orders were thus being carried out, Wash-
ington, while keeping up an appearance of design upon New York, had
secretly given orders for the allied land and naval forces to concentrate
upon Chesapeake Bay, so as to make a combined attack l)y land and
water upon ^'orktown, now strongly fortified by Cornwallis.

Leaving a sufficient force under (ieneral Heath for the protection of
the High Lands. Washington left his headquarters at Peekskill, broke
up his camp at Phillipsburg, and on the 19th of August crossed King's
l'>rry and commenced his march to Virginia. He was quickly followed
by the Counts R(x'hambcau and Lauzun with their forces from White
Plains.

As soon as (io\ernor Clinton discovered this design of Washington's
he decided to oppose it by sending Benedict Arnold, the traitor, with a
lleet to attack I'ort Griswold at New l>ondon. then connnanded l)y
Colonel Ledyard. .\ furious battle was fought and the British wTre
A-ictorious. A scene of horror took place, such as caused one of the

1781] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 419

British officers to demand a halt of hostilities. Colonel Ledyard was
murdered while presenting his sword of surrender to the English officer.
Major Bromfield, who plunged it into his heart.

Washington bravely continued his march towards Yorktown with
all possible speed, to join General Lafayette's division, and the forces
of the French fleet under the Counts De Grasse and Du Barras, which
had entered Chesapeake Bay August 31st. The American troops reached
Williamsburg September 25th, and warmly welcomed their French allies
under Lafayette, securing to them every comfort and privilege, even
sleeping on the ground themselves by giving them the use of their tents.

By September 30th Cornwallis saw the allied armies taking position
around Yorktown, the French being on the right and the Americans on
the left.

The following account, given at the time, furnishes an interesting
history of the final triumph of the Americans in this memorable siege :

" September 22, 1781. The American army & their aUies near Wilhamsburg in Vir-
ginia. They expect, September 28th, to march to a position near York, to commence a
siege. They make a brilliant appearance as to numbers & are 15,000 strong, not including
the Virginia militia.

" The whole army marched on Friday, September 28th, from Williamsburg to within
one mile of the enemy's works at York, & formed the first line of circumvolation without
loss. On the 29th a few skirmishes took place, with but little loss on either side. In the
night the British evacuated Pigeon Quarters & their other redoubts overlooking the town,
which the Americans took possession of under a heavy cannonade from Yorktown on
Sunday morning at sunrise. The enemy next fled from a stockade, when the French
grenadiers had advanced within fifteen yards of it. retreating under cover of their shipping,
losing ten men taken prisoners. Cornwallis was strongly fortified, having possession of
Gloucester, garrisoned by about 1,000 men. The English were hemmed in with 15.000
men, & the Duke de Lauzun with his legion & 2,000 marines from the fleet to prevent any
escape that way. One ship of 44 guns, two frigates & a twenty-gun packet lie at Burwell's
Landing in James River; one of fifty, one of forty, two frigates & a store-ship in the
mouth of that river; 5 ships of the line off Cape Henry; thirty-two ships of the line &
several frigates are drawn up across the mouth of York River, 3 ships of considerable
force in the river below the town, which were to proceed onward with the first fair wind.

" The easy capture of the outposts greatly accelerated the final operations of our
army. Lieutenant-Colonel John Conolly was taken near Yorktown by two militiamen. &
was paroled to Hanover in Virginia. Washington now pursued vigorous operations
against the enemy. On the 14th of October with the American & allied forces the French
& American batteries were played successfully for the following three days until the
English redoubts were taken; when Cornwallis called for a cessation of hostilities.

The i8th was made a day of respite preparing for the surrender and the assembling
of the troops in dress-uniforms, in which, to the credit of the patriotic and industrious
Daughters of Liberty, they presented a praiseworthy appearance the next day.*
* Record of Connecticut Men in the War of the Revolution.

420 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1781

" October 19th. General Cornwallis, with about 5,000 British troops, surrender as
prisoners of war to General George Washington, commander-in-chief of all the allied
forces of France & America! Laus Deo!

" The Viscount de Noailles, Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens, aide-de-camps to General
Washington, & Colonel Dundas & Major Ross, aide-de-camps to Lord Cornwallis, were
appointed to adjust the etiquette of the capitulation.

" About one o'clock the articles of capitulation were signed & interchanged ; & about
2 o'clock P. M. the British garrison of York, led by General O'Hara (Lord Cornwallis
being indisposed), were conducted by General Lincoln, through the combined army,
drawn up in two lines in a field, where, having grounded their arms & stripped off their
accoutrements, they were reconducted through the lines & committed to the care of a
guard.

"At the same time & in the same manner, the garrison of Gloucester was sur-
rendered to the command of the Duke de Lauzun.

" Previous to this a detachment of French & American troops took possession of
the British horn-works & planted on the epaulment the standard of the two nations. The
brilliant appearance of the allied armies, the joy which diffused itself from rank to rank
strongly contrasted with the mortification, the despondence & unsoldierly behavior of the
British troops, forming one of the most pleasing prospects a patriot can behold or even
his fancy depict."*

The New Jersey " Gazette" of November 4, 1781, gives the follow-
ing account of the surrender : " The allied army was drawn up in two
straight lines, facing each other, leaving a space for the British column
to pass through. The commander-in-chief with his suite on the right
of the American line; the Count Rochambeau opposite on the left of the
French. Lord Cornwallis pleading indisposition, the British were led
by General O'Hara, conducted by General Lincoln. Their colors cased
& they not allowed to beat a French or American march, as Lincoln had
been commanded not to do at the surrender of Charleston.

" The British officers behaved like boys who had been whipped at
school; some bit their lips, some pouted, others cried, their round, broad-
brimmed hats were well adapted to the occasion, hiding those faces they
were ashamed to show. The foreign regiments made a much more mili-
tary appearance, & the conduct of the ofificers far more becoming men
of fortitude."!

The New York "Packet" of November 15th gives General Corn-
wallis' report of the siege of Yorktown. In this report he states that he
never regarded Yorktown a favorable place, and nothing but the hope of
relief promised him by Sir Henry Clinton would have induced him to
attempt its defence; besides, the superiority of General Washington's

* Moore's Hist. Revolution — from rennsylvania I'ackct.
t Moore's Hist. Revolution, 1034-1038.

I78i] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 42 1

forces would never have led him to attack the American troops in the
open field. He did not feel at liberty to give up his post while hourly
expecting assistance both by land and by sea. On the morning of the i6th
he thought best to surrender, and arranged in the night to send off as
many of his troops as he could spare. Sixteen large boats were made
ready to receive his troops, and at ten o'clock at night, leaving bag and
baggage, and by letter requesting General Washington to capitulate and
to care for the sick and wounded, his men set out to cross the river.
Some of his troops succeeded in landing at Gloucester, but a violent
storm of wind and rain set in, driving all the boats, some of which had
troops on board, down the river. In consequence, the troops had to
return, and again join his main army in the forenoon. The galling fire
of the Americans and the expenditure of shell made further loss of life
cruel. He therefore requested a capitulation.

On the day of the surrender Governor Clinton set out from New
York for the relief of Cornwallis with twenty-five ships of the line and
seven thousand of his choicest men. He had barely reached the coast
of Virginia when, off the Capes, to his utter astonishment and dismay, he
learned he had delayed too long, and that Cornwallis had surrendered to
General Washington. He, therefore, returned with his fleet to New
York.

The surrender of Cornwallis was most humiliating. It is related that
afterwards, " when standing before Washington with his hat off, the lat-
ter remarked: ' My Lord, you had better be covered.' ' It matters not,
sir,' replied Cornwallis, raising his hand to his brow; ' it matters not what
becomes of this head now.' "

The news of this great triumph spread speedily throughout the coun-
try. Bells were rung, bonfires were kindled, and expressions of joy
were heard in every town and hamlet. Men and women wept, while
others stood speechless with joy and gratitude. " The aged doorkeeper
in Congress died from excessive joy."

This speedy and long hoped for over-ruling of Providence in the
memorable siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis
gave to the struggle for our national independence the hour of complete
triumph. More than seven thousand British troops surrendered as pris-
oners of war, exclusive of fifteen hundred seamen, more than two thou-
sand of whom were either wounded or sick. The frigate " Guadaloupe,"
twenty-four transports, one hundred and sixty pieces of cannon and eight

422 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1782-3

mortars fell into the hands of the Americans. The French, who had so
nobly assisted in this triumph, were most heartily and gratefully thanked
by Washington and his entire army.

During this engagement it was reported of the Connecticut forces
" that their conduct was highly meritorious." Of thirty-six companies
commanded by Lafayette ten had been detached from the Connecticut
line. In October they held the post of honor, and helped " to carry the
redoubts " on the night of the 14th.*

On the 20th of October, 1781, General Washington sent out a pro-
clamation of pardon to all criminals of the army, and ordered that the
2 1 St be made a day of prayer and thanksgiving, in the following words:

" Divine service shall be performed to-morrow in the different bri-
gades & divisions. The Commander-in-Chief recommends that all the
troops that are not upon duty do assist in it. with a serious deportment,
i^ that sensibility of heart which the recollection of the surprising & par-
ticular interposition of Providence in our favor claims."

On the 3d of November, 1782, provisional articles of peace were
signed at Versailles between the English plenipotentiaries and the French
and Spanish, and on the same day between Great Britain and the United
States of America at Paris, but it was not until January 20, 1783, that the
final treaty of peace was concluded by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin,
John Jay and Henry Laurens, when the independence of the United States
was acknowledged, their boundaries adjusted and a share of the fisheries
secured to them.

On the 19th of April, 1783, General Washington issued the joyous
proclamation of peace between the two countries ; and in December fol-
lowing, after issuing his farewell address, he disbanded his army.

The British evacuated New York November 25, 1783, since cele-
brated in New York as Evacuation Day. As they left, Washington and
his officers and army, with Governor Clinton, entered the city. The
British flag, which had floated over Fort George for seven years, was
replaced by the Stars and Strij)es of the L^nited States.

ORDER OF CINCINNATI.

Before parting with liis officers Washington united with thcni in forming the famous
Society of tlie " Order of Cincinnati," so named in remembrance of the celebrated Roman
warrior Cincinnatus, who conquered the invaders of his country and then retired to private
life. A mutual agreement was entered into, with a view of promoting the highest rights

* Record of Connecticut Men of the War of the Revolution, pp. 305, 306.

1783J END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 423

of freedom and to cherish mutual assistance, union and honor between the .States ; " to
render permanent, cordial affections, & the spirit of brotherly kindness among the officers,
& to extend acts of beneficence towards those ofificers & their families who may unfor-
tunately be under the necessity of receiving it. The general society for the sake of fre-.
quent communications shall be divided into State societies, & then again into such dis-
tricts as the State societies shall direct. The Society shall have an order by which its
members shall be known & distinguished, ivlnch shall be a medal of gold of proper siz^
to receive the proposed emblems, and to be suspended by a deep blue ribbon two inches
zvide, edged with white, descriptive of the union of America and France." This order was
to be perpetuated in the line of the eldest male descendants of the original members, or.
failing such descendants, by the admission of such collateral relations as might be deemed
worthy. There was also a provision for admitting as honorary members persons who
had not belonged to the army.*

Among those who were admitted to this honorable Society were Captain Theophilus
Monson of Fairfield, Lieutenant Daniel Bradley of Greenfield, Lieutenant William Pike
of Fairfield. Major Albert Chapman of Green's Farms. The Rev. Timr.thy Dwight of
Greenfield was made an honorary member July 7, 1795. f

The heroic sons of Connecticut returned to their homes after the toil
and hardships of many battles lost and won. Connecticut had bravely
borne her share of the struggle. Guided in all her efforts for liberty by
Governor Jonathan Trumbull and his patriotic Assembly and Council
of War, '' she had furnished more men in the army than any other State
in the Union. No less than thirty-one thousand, nine hundred and
thirty-nine men from our patriotic State were sent into the army." +

Fairfield largely contributed her share of ofificers and soldiers, as well
as to the maintenance of the army. Her patriotism increased as time
passed. But she was not as generous in her offers of peace to those of
her inhabitants who had gone over to the enemy as General Washington
had been to the Tory offenders of the army. The following town record
will testify that their treachery to the cause of freedom was not easily
overlooked.

At a Town meeting held in Fairfield April loth, 1783, it was

" Voted : The inhabitants being called to meet principally for the purpose of con-
sidering what measures they would wish to have taken with respect to those persons who,«
during the war between Great Britain and America, have gone to and joined the enemy,
and put themselves under their protection : —

" The question is put whether this meeting is willing that any of those persons who
have gone over to and joined the enemy, and put themselves under their protection as
aforesaid, should be permitted to return and reside in this Town :

And passed in the negative.

* Gordon, Hildreth, HoUister's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2, p. 420.

•)■ Record of Connecticut Men in the War of the Kevolulion, p. 374.

X llollibter's Hist. Conn., Vol. H, P- 421.

424 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1784-5

" Voted — That a committee be appointed to remove all such persons from this Town
who are now in it, or may hereafter come into it, who have gone over to and joined the
enemy, & put themselves under their protection during the war between Great Britain
& the United States of America."*

Many applications were made by the banished ones, as well as vain
efforts to have the taxes abated which had been laid upon the families
of those who had joined the ranks of the enemy. These taxes it appears
were laid upon the families of those who joined the British forces, in
order that some repair might be made for the injury which such a course
had done to the Commonwealth. As time passed, however, these griev-
ances were pardoned, and many returned to renew their allegiance to
the State and to the town of Fairfield.

Through the energy of the leading spirits of the town the churches
were rebuilt. Mr. Eliot received from his friends and relatives in Boston
considerable aid toward rebuilding Christ Church and parsonage. For
a time his people found it difificult to raise money enough to support him
after his church was burned by the British. The society sold the iron and
nails of the Meeting-house, and applied the proceeds towards building
the new Court-house. For more than five years the people were sum-
moned to the services of the Congregational Church by the beating of
a drum. The new Meeting-house was raised June, 1785, and so far com-
pleted by the 26th of March, 1786, that services were regularly kept up.
A new bell was purchased, and rung daily, at twelve o'clock in the sum-
mer and at nine o'clock in the evening during the year.

The rebuilding of the Episcopal Church labored under many dis-
advantages; but by the untiring zeal and energy of the Rev. Dr. Philo
Shelton, who had been called to take charge of Trinity Church in Sep-
tember, 1779, it was begun, as voted by the town, on the Military Parade
Green at Mill Plain. It was so far completed by September 5, 1790, as
to be opened for church services and " dedicated to the service of Al-
mighty God ''; but it was not formally consecrated by liishop Abraham
Jarvis until October, 1798.!

A new academy was erected on the grounds southwest of the Meeting-
house Green, facing on the main street, which became a flourishing insti-
ttUion.

Ihe old jail was rebuilt on the same ground a little to the east of the

* Fairfield Town Records.

f llist. Sketch of Trinity Church, Soulhporl, Rev. FaIiiiuikI (iiiilhcrt, D.D. Appendix —
ticnealogical, Shelton. 'I'his churcli was taken down and removed to Southport in 1841.

1786-7] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 425

Academy, which in after years, when the county court-house was re-
moved from Fairfield to Bridgeport, was purchased by the Episcopahans
of Fairfield, and converted into a church, which, when thoroughly re-
paired, beautified and adorned, was named St. Paul's Church. The solid
brick walls of the jail still form the main portion of the church, while the
roof and interior is designed after the Gothic order of architecture. It
was beautifully furnished, and presents a thoroughly churchly appearance.

And here within the prison walls, where once the self-sacrificing mis-
sionaries and churchmen of the Church of England wept and bewailed
the severity of our Puritan ancestors, now rises on every Lord's Day
the " Glory be to God on High, Peace, good will to men," Truly the
Lion and the Lamb have lain down together, and there is peace in Israel.

In October, 1791, the General Assembly passed a resolution by which
" equal rights and privileges " were granted " to Christians of all denomi-
nations " in the State of Connecticut. And that all moneys arising from
the sale of the territory belonging to this State, lying west of the State
of Pennsylvania, be, and the same is hereby established as a perpetual
fund, the interest whereof is granted and shall be appropriated to the
use and benefit of the several ecclesiastical societies, churches, or con-
gregations of all denominations in this State, to be by them applied for
the support of their respective ministers or preachers of the gospel, and
schools of education; under such rules and regulations as shall be here-
after adopted by the Assembly."

About 1787 a newspaper called " The Fairfield Independent Gazette "
was published by Miller, Forgue and Bulkley in the Jonathan Bulkley
Tavern behind the Court-house. Forgue was a son of the distinguished
Dr. Francis Forgue.

New and commodious dwellings were erected on the sites of the old
homesteads which had been destroyed by the British, and Fairfield once
more presented something of her old time appearance; but it has never
been the bustling, thriving town of previous days. Newfield, now
Bridgeport, with its fine harbor at the mouth of the Pequonnock River,
speedily became a flourishing city, drawing trade and merchandise to
its busy marts by sea and by land. But Black Rock continued to be the
seaport of Fairfield, and merchantmen sailing to European ports and the
West Indies, whaling vessels and sloops for home ports were frequently
seen gliding out and returning into its fine harbor. Mill River and
Saugatuck also sent out vessels laden with grain, etc., for home ports.

426 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1788-9

From having been one of the most beautiful and industrial towns in
New England, Fairfield now became the centre of intellectual culture,
refinement and social intercourse. The meetings of the county courts
brought together the legal talent of the State, and gentlemen of wealth
and distinction settled among its inhabitants, among whom were the
late Dr. Isaac Bronson of Greenfield Hill ; the distinguished Chancellor
James Kent of New^ York City, whose father, Moss Kent, was one of
the patriots of Fairfield in the Revolution, and married Mrs. Hazzard.
a daughter of a Mr. Wakeman of Green's Farms, and whose house was
burned by the British in 1779;" Captain Abraham Dudley Baldwin, an
active and energetic ofiicer of Greenfield during the Revolution, who
was named after his distinguished uncle. United States Senator Abraham
Baldwin, one of the framers of the Constitution of the United States; and
General Elijah Abel, an active political and military of^cer of the Revolu-
tion who resided at Fairfield in the homestead of Justice Nathan Gold.

The name of Joseph Earl Sheffield is one which will always be re-
membered with pride and gratitude.* He was born in his father's home
at Southport, Conn., June 19, 1793, and was the son of Paul King Shef-
field, and his wafe Mabel, daughter of Captain Eliphalet Thorp. He
served when but about twelve years of age as a coast-guard, in the war
of 18 1 2.* Taking advantage of every opportunity for education which
the impoverished condition of our families afforded after the Revolution,
he raised himself to honor, wealth and distinction. In 1822 he married
Maria, a daughter of Colonel T. St. John of Walton, Delaware County,
New York. After residing in Mobile, Alabama, some years, he removed
to New Haven, Conn., with his wife and children. Some twenty years
after he purchased land and a house adjoining his home, enlarged the
house and added class-rooms, laboratories and library for the Scientific
School of Yale College, and added at a later date additional building.
" more extensive, at an aggregate cost, including site, buildings & equip-
ment, of over $400,000." He engaged in various large business projects,
which increased his wealth. Beside his liberal donations to the Sheffield
Yale Scientific School, he contributed liberally to the Berkeley Divinity
School in Middletown, Connecticut, and to Trinity College, Hartford.
He gave twenty acres of land in Chicago to the Theological Seminary
of the Northwest ; besides handsome donations to the Young Men's Insti-
tute, Trinity Parish School and other institutions in New Haven; and

* Appendix.

1789] END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES 427

$500 to Trinity Church, Southport, when destroyed by fire in 1854. His
amiable wife joined with him in generous deeds of charity to all classes
and conditions of men and women, so that it may be truly said of them :

" None knew them but to love ;

None named them but to praise."

Both Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield lived to a ripe old age. He died in 1882,
aged eighty-nine, leaving handsome bequests to the Sheffield Scientific
School and other charitable institutions.*

Frederic Marquand whose name as one of the famed jewelers of
Xew York City, is another son of Fairfield to be remembered for his
generous gifts of a fine stone public library and valuable books to South-
port; the Marquand Chapel to Yale College, and the Marquand Chapel
to Princeton College, New Jersey. To his brother, Henry G. Marquand,
the country is largely indebted for valuable pictures and works of art
presented to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The name of Jonathan Godfrey was known as a tower of strength
in church and state, and his generous gifts to the Berkeley Divinity
School, Trinity College and Trinity Church, Southport, with his warm,
sympathetic heart and generosity to the poor and needy, will long be
remembered with love and respect.

Still another name is that of Francis D. Perry, loved and cherished for
his kindly nature and pure Christian life, who bequeathed his home at
Southport for a Rectory to Trinity Church, and left handsome sums of
money to Trinity Church and to the Congregational and Methodist
churches.

Morris W. Lyon, born in the early part of the nineteenth century,
is another name to be remembered with pride, as a generous and prime
mover and benefactor in furnishing a beautiful and substantial public
library to the town of Fairfield.

There are many other names worthy of mention, but to record their
deeds of patriotism and charities would fill a volume. It is with pride
and reverence we recall all those who have made themselves pillars of
strength in the beautiful historic town of Fairfield.

* Barnard's American Journal of Education, No. 10, July 15th, Vol. 3.

APPENDIX

No. I

POST ROADS
Inns between Boston and New York in 1697

" The several stages (in 1697) from the city of New York to Boston, & where trav-
elers may be accommodated.

" From New York to Boston it is accounted 274 miles, thus — viz. : From the Post
Office in New York to Jo Clapp's in the Bowery is 2 miles (which generally is the bating
place, where Gentlemen take leave of their friends, going so long a journey) & where
a parting glass or two of generous Wine,

"// well applyd, makes their dull horses feel.
One spur i' th' Head is worth two in the heel."

From said Clapp's to halfway House 7 miles.

Thence to King's Bridge 9

" Old Shute's at Eastchester 6

" New Rochel l,le.&tmg-\\o\xsQ. 4

" Joseph Morton's 4

" " Denham's at Rye 4

" Knap's at Horse Neck 7

" " Dan Weedse's at Stamford 7

" " Belden's at Norwalk 10

" " Burr's at Fairfield 10

" " T. Knowles's at Stratford 8

" Andrew Sandford's at Milford 4

" Capt. John Mills' at New Haven 10

" " Te Widow Frisbie's at Brandford 10

" John Hobson's at Guilford 10

" John Grissell's at Killinsworth 10

" John Clarke's at Seabrook 10

" " Mr. Plum's, New London 10

" " Mr. Saxton's 15

" " Mr. Pemberton's in the Narragansett Country 15

" " French Town 24

" Mr. Turpin's 20

" " Mr. Woodcock's iS

" " Mr. Billingse's Farm 1 1

" Mr. White's 6 "

" " Mr. Fisher's 6

& from thence to the great Town of Boston 10 miles where many good Lodgings &
Accommodations may be had for Love & Money.

I wish to have preserved in the columns of the " Courant " a list of the inns between

430 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Boston & New York in 1697. It is copied (original orthography followed) from a New
York almanac for that year which, the preface says, is the first almanac ever made in
the province of New York. You will see that the route in 1697 is nearly identical with that
adopted in 1853 by the recently proposed " nezu through railroad line from Nnv York
to Boston," the projectors of which seem (for railroad people) to have a remarkable
regard for the footsteps of their ancestors.

The reader will bear in mind that this route was in 1697 only practicable for travelers
upon horseback, who usually accompanied the post rider.

Datchet.

No. II
FAIRFIELD

The testimony of Mary Beers, wife to Reuben Beers of Fairfield, of lawful age, is as
follows; viz. :

That about one of the clock succeeding the 7th inst. a picket of Hessians in General
(jarth's division broke into our house & thereupon I came out of the cellar with two small
children & a negro child, & on opening the cellar door, they cried out. Kill her, kill her,
& came at me with a number of fixed bayonets : I begged & intreatcd, implored & prayed,
to spare my life & run back down cellar & opened the out cellar door & went into the
door yard, with the aforesd three children, & 1 found there a number of enemy with an
ofificer: I expostulated with them, I told the officer that my husband was sick, & had
not been out for two days then past, that he was a sick man & in bed, when they came
to the house, that he was not in arms, & begged his life & property, whereupon the capt.
said he was not killed but was a prisoner : whereupon I applied to the gen' as I supposed,
who was a Hessian called : I asked protection for myself, children. & property, & release
of my husband. Said Hessian general & a colonel said my husband should be used well,
that my person, children, house & property should be safe, but said he (the gen' laying
his hand on the head of my little babe) Poor child I pity you, I cannot spare your house
it must be burnt : thereupon up came the officer of those who first broke into the house,
& he said, Go woman in haste you may perhaps put the fire out of your house : & I went
protected by a guard who behaved decently, & I found my house effectually plundered
of linnen by them, & great destruction of moveables in the house, & I cxtinguish.'d the
fire. Whereupon I went to the house of David Beers who to my knowledge was in peace
at home with his wife & family, & they enter'd the s^ house with violence, & took Mr.
Beers prisoner, & plunder'd his house, & pretended that he had fired out of his house but
it was groundless ; & in the morning, without distinction, they burnt his house & shop, &
all moveables left in them. Their behaviour was like distracted or mad men, & pretended
many of them not to speak F.nglish. And furtlu-r sailli not.

Mary Beers.

F\-iirlield July J4th 1779, Personally appeared Mary Beers above named & made oath
to the truth of the above.

Before inc .Xndrtw Kowlaiul Jw>. P.

Reuben Beers above named personally appear'd & made oath that he agrees with the
above named Mary Beers, his wife, in all the parts of her narrative so far as he is know-
ing & adds that by the intrcat & request of David Beers aforenam'd on application to Gcnl

APPENDIX 431

Tryon, & his own request & information that he had a large family of small children &
wife, that he supposed his house & property was destroyed, the gen' at the place of em-
barkation released him.

Sworn before me Andrew Rowland Jus. P.

The testimony of Abigail Bulkiey, wife of Josiah Bulkley of lawful age is as follows,
viz. :

That the enemy on their coming to the west end of the town, on the night of the
7th inst. they enquired after my husband. 1 told them that he was out of the town & was
not under arms, however they plundered my house of almost all the moveables in it. I
with Mrs. Beardsley who was supposed to be in travel & the officers there behaved decently
to me, & by the aid & assistance of one of them, 1 saved my house, & some trifle of furni-
ture from flames. It appeared to me that there was a number of Hessians at liberty to
act without restraint, & further saith not.

her

Abig.ml X Bulkley Jun"" .

mark

SS. Fairfield July 23d 1779.

Personally appeared Abigail Bulkley above named & made oath to the truth of the
above.

Before me Andrew Rowland Jus. Ps.

The testimony of Jane Bulkley wife to Andrew Bulkley of lawful age is as follows,
viz. :

That when the enemy entered the town of Fairfield that part of the army under
the command of General Garth were stationed in the westerly part of the town & a number
of officers & men came to my house, & received such refreshment as they required, & said
that persons who staid in their houses, should be safe in person & property, & at their
request I went & milked my cow & gave them the milk, whereupon the cow was led away
by them & killed ; my house was fir'd five times & 1 extingnuished it. The men were at
full liberty & behaved with great licentiousness. I heard a number of under officers at
my door, say that before morning every house would be laid in ashes, that we should
not fare so well as New Haven : they plundered my house, .stripped my buckles out of
my shoes, & abused me with insulting language. Their officers had not or did not exer-
' cise command over them, so as in the least to restrain them. They continued burning
houses & barns the whole night. I had a protection from General Garth by word & he
ordered a guard for me but it served only to save my property 'till daylight, & then my
house was plundered & attempted to be burnt. The latter part of the night the soldiers
appear'd to be in drink, they plunder'd a plenty of spirituous liquors. And further saith
not.

J.\NE Bulkley.

l-"airfield July 24th 1779.

Fairfield July 24th 1779.

Personally appeared Jane Bulkley & made oath to the truth of the above.

Before me Andrew Rowland Jus. Ps.

The testimony of Eunice Burr wife of Thaddeus Burr Fsq. respecting the proceed-
ings of the enemy at Fairfield on the 7th & 8th days of July 1779, is as followeth viz.

On Wednesday morning between 9 & 10 o'clock tlic 7th July some friends came in

432 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

& told me that they beheved that the enemy's shipping were standing in, & that it was
their opinion, that the enemy wo'd land; being formerly well acquainted with a number
of the British officers, & ever finding them of a polite humane disposition, & observing
the good order they kept up among their soldiers, I was induced, once, to act against all
the entreaties of my friends, & risque my life & all that is dear to me, in hopes to save
an ancient pleasant mansion house, with its valuable furniture & stores. This I was the
more willing to undertake, as I had been told, " that if people would stay in their own
houses, they, the enemy, would not molest nor disturb them, & their property would be
safe."

By the time that the main body of the enemy had got up to the court house, instead
of the once humane & polite Britons, a pack of the most barbarous ruffians came rushing
into the house, & repeatedly accosted me with you Dam Rebel where is your husband, he
is a selectman — at the same time striping me of my buckles, taring down the curtains of
my bed, breaking the frame of my dressing glass, pulling out the draws of my table &
desk; & after taking what they could find, they then went up stairs & proceeded much in
the same manner. At this juncture there came in an officer, who, I suppose was a capt.
& demanded the arms ; those which I knew of were produced, & he immediately ordered
them out of the house & upon my representation of the conduct of the ruffians towards me,
he ordered them out of the house. No sooner were one set out, but another came in, calling
for syder, breaking down the china, stone & glass ware in the closets & where ever they
found it. In the midst of this confused state General Tryon came into the house. He
behaved with politeness. He demanded the papers. I told him there were none but of
very old dates which related to old estates. The general said. Those are what we want,
for we intend to have the estates — upon which he ordered an officer to take them to the
court house. Very soon after he had taken leave of me there came in a set more dreadful!
than the ruffians who first attacked me. These being informed, or suspicious, that I was
possessed of a watch, attempted to search me. I drew back to the yard, the only shelter
that I had, & there committed myself to that God, whose protection & mercy is beyond
the reach of such cruel monsters. They however were permitted to pursue me, throw
me upon the ground, & search me, pulling & taring my cloths from me in a most bar-
barious manner, no intreaties or persuasions prevailing upon them to desist. Heaven
directed the steps of the aforementioned captain to the gate, who perceiving the horrid
situation that I was in, ran to my relief, & drove the ruffians from the yard. Soon after
this General Tryon (with Mr. Thomas Chapman of Stratford, who is said to be a capt.
in the New Levies) called in. Mr. Chapman made himself known to me, upon which I
reminded him of his often waiting on a more soft & delicate set of company to the house,
than those I had been visited with in the course of the- day — asked him if he could have
a heart to burn the house where he had spent so many agreeable hours, upon which he
assured me he would do everything in his power to save the building.

General Tryon upon hearing the aforesaid captain relate the situation he found me
in, was kind enough to order two centrys at the house, which caused me a more quiet
night than I feared, tho' horror & distress were my constant companions, great part of
the town being in fiames. Just before sunrise Capt. Chapman came to me very politely,
& told me that General Tryon wanted to speak to me. I immediately waited on him. He
told me that through the entreaties of Mr. Sayer & some other friends, & knowing my
situation, he should spare my buildings, Mr. Eliot's, the church & niecting-housc — that he
did not like destroying those buildings. I told him that I was obliged to him for the
favor, & felt as happy to have those buildings saved as my own, & that I thought he
wo'd do himself honor. He asked for pen, ink & paper. I very readily procured them.

APPENDIX 433

He then unasked & unsolicited by me, gave me a protection for my house & property, &
the Rev'd Mr. Eliot's, written with his own hand & signed with his own name. Thus
deluded with a false hope, after the fatigue of the day, night, & more dreadfull morning,
when every building around me was on fire, & some of my poor neighbours, whose habi-
tations were in flames, had run into my house for shelter, instead of attempting to carry
out & secure what was in the house, our whole attention was taken up in supplying the
house with water, & altho' they were almost buried in flames, neither the barn or house
took fire. The pleasure & satisfaction I felt for a few minutes in thinking I had a shelter
for myself & some of my distressed friends, was great. But alas ! how soon was it over.
No sooner had the horn blew, I suppose for the whole to retreat, my centrys went off
& a band of those savage creatures were left as a rear guard to compleat the destruction
— some of whom, unperceived by me, came into the house. I heard a most dreadful
screaching in one of the rooms, upon which I ran to it, & to my great surprise found some
of those monsters abusing an aged lady, one of my neighbours, by pulling ofif her cap &
tearing the hair from her head. Her daughter, who had fled there for protection fared
but little better. Seeing a number more of them come into the gate. I once more took
courage, went out & intreated them to spare the house; told them that I had General
Tryon's protection in writing; upon which they damned the general & protection too &
tore it from me. While a number went into the house to set fire to it, two or three
others came to search me, they took my pocket book & buttons, which till then I had
preserved. Fearing that I should be insulted as I had been before, I disingagcd my pocket
& fled into the meadow.

The house with everything they had left, both furniture & stores were consumed.
Much more might be told, both of ofificers & soldiers, which wo'd bring disgrace upon
the once humane, but now savage Britons, but it wo'd make this narrative too lengthy.
One more instance of their cruelty I must not fail to relate. On a bare suspicion, that
a gun was fired from a window, by an aged negro of my neighbour Lewis's, they first
shot him, then bayoneted him, as my centry, who was one of the number told me ; & left
his body to be consumed by the flames which were immediately kindled in the dwelling
house.

Should this narrative fall into the hands of any of those gentlemen officers, who af-
forded me assistance, in those hours of horror & distress, they have my sincere thanks
for it.

Fairfield SS. On the 2 day of August 1779 personally appeared Eunice Burr, wife
of Thaddeus Burr Esqr & made oath to the above & foregoing narrative.

Before me Sam'l Squier Just. Peace.

The testimony of Ann Nicliols of lawful age & wife to Hez. Nichols of Fairfield is
as follows, viz.—

That when the troops under the command of General Tryon came into Fairfield I
was peaceably at home, & thereupon one of the soldiers came to me & with strong hand
robbed me of the buckles out of my shoes, & in the course of the night I was often treated
with extravagant, insulting, & abusive language & threatning at my own house. I told
them my husband was from home, but it availed nothing, & in the course of the night,
the soldiers appeared to have full liberty, & many came in parties at different hours, &
destroyed almost everything of furniture, & in the morning burnt down the house & barn,
whereupon I saw General Tryon who appeared to be e.xceeding angry at something, I
know not what, & I heard him tell a person that he would not spare one house more
than another. One Thomas Chapman formerly of Stratford a tory was called a Captain.
28

434 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

& appeared to be a principal hand in burning. I escaped from the conflagration of the
town in the morning & concealed myself in a wet ditch & miry swamp. The soldiers
generally appeared to be in a great panic thro' the night, & exceeding afraid that the
rebels as they called us would be upon the(m) in the morning early.

Ann Nichols.
Fairfield County ss Fairfield July 21st 1779.

Personally appeared the above named Mrs. Ann Nichols & made oath to the truth
of the same.

Before me Andrew Rowland Jus. Ps.

The testimony of Lucretia Readfield wife to John Readfield of Fairfield of lawful age
is as follows, viz.

That in the evening succeeding the 7th of inst. July the enemy under command of
Genl Tryon came to my house & there found me with one child peaceably at home:
three officers enquired of me for my husband. 1 told them he was from home & could
not say whether under arms or not, whereupon they said one of their men had just before
been taken prisoner near this house, & order'd the house to be fired, which was accordingly
done, & I extinguish'd it. Whereupon night came on & thro' the whole night the soldiers
went where they pleased and did as they pleased, without any restraint from their officers
so far as I could observe, & they came to my house & abused me with abusive & insulting
language, carriage & behaviour : They destroyed the furniture in the house, & attempted,
with threats & promises, to prevail upon me to yield to their unchaste & unlawful desires.
1 obstinately denied them my body : three men then & there appeared intent to compass
their wicked design, seized me & dragged me to the bed & attempted violence, but thanks
to God there appeared that instant to come two persons who rescued me from their
violence, one of whom told me he had been a prisoner in this town, & that he had
received great civility from the inhabitants, & that he had an opinion of their being a
worthy kind people, & those two persons protected me thro' the remainder of the night.
My house was fir'd four times that night & next morning, & every time I extinguish'd it
with great danger, & saved it & also a shop. Our mother I\Irs. Readfield is an aged woman
& wido. She lived in the house & was in peace at home. She was much insulted &
abused, her cloaths were pulled indecently & her buckles stripped out of her shoes, her
pockets violently seized & rifled, & the liouse in general rifled & plundered. And further
this deponent saith not.

LUCRETI.X Re.\I)FIELD.

SS. Fairfield July 21st 1779.

Personally appear'd Lucretia Readfield the above deponent, & made solemn oath to
the truth of the above deposition.

Before me Andrew Rowland Jus. Ps.

The testimony of Ruana Robcrson of lawful age. & wife of John Roljcrson of Fair-
field is as follows, viz.

When the enemy on the evening of the 7th inst. lirst came into the westerly end of
this town, I soon left my house & went to a neighl)our's, which I heard was guarded. &
there I found the general & a great number of officers, & one Mrs. Beardsley who be-
longed to the house was there, & pregnant, & appeared to be in travel. All the officers
appeared disposed to treat her. & her assistance with decency. & in the course of the
night, I often heard the officers & the general .say, there should not be left a house or
barn standing in the town by, or in the morning: there was but few soldiers in the house

APPENDIX 435

& they employed in waiting on tables, & they spared that dwelling house on account of
Mrs. Beardsley, who was supposed to be in labour. They said the Commissioners made
offers of peace & the Americans refused to accept them, & that their orders was to burn
all, & I understood the orders was from England : they said they would burn the church
for that it was not the Church of England nor had it been since the war, for the pro-
fessors did not comply with the articles of the Church of England. The Hessians ap-
peared active in plundering & burning, & seemed not to understand English. I was at
sundry houses where they came & plundered & they gave to understand they pursued
orders. And further saith not.

her
RUANA J ROBERSON.
mark

Fairfield July 22d 1779.

Personally appeared Ruana Roberson & made oath to the truth of the above.

Before me Andrew Rowland Jus. Ps.

The testimony of Isabella Trubee wife of Ansel Trubee of Fairfield is as follows, viz.
That when the enemy on the night of the 7th inst. came to the westerly end of the town
they appeared to be generally Hessians. & I concealed myself with two children in the
cellar under the dwelling house of uncle David Beers, & there continued untill the enemy
set fire to the house. Mr. Beers aforesd vvas at home with his wife & daughter & some
grandchildren in peace & about his lawful business, they seized him & made him prisoner,
my aunt, his wife, told them he was unarm'd & had not shot a gun she supposed within
thirty years, & thereupon they set fire to the house & burnt it down, & also his shop &
all therein. About this time my father Mr. Josh Beers came a few rods out of his house
where he had been all day, in peace with my mother, & he was captivated by the Hessians
& remains in captivity, & his house & barn was burnt & property destroyed. Mr. David
Beers has since returned & says he was released at their embarkation.

her

Isabella | Trubee.

mark
SS. Fairfield July 23d 1779.

Personally appeared Isabella Trubee abovesd & made oath to the above.

Before me Andrew Rowland Jus. Ps.

Rec. State Conn., Vol. II. pp. 546-553.

No. Til

The committee appointed by the General Assembly in October 1779 to appraise the
losses of each individual who had suffered by the conflagration & depredations of the
enemy in Fairfield on the 7th & 8th of July made the following returns. Dated at Fairfield
April 27th 1780.

DAMAGE SUSTAINED IN THE TOWN OF FAIRFIELD.

Account of the losses sustained in the town of Fairfield by the British, valued as in
the year 1774.

At Greens Farms — The meeting house & bell, £600; Rev. Mr. Ripley's house & barn,

436 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

£300, also clothing, provisions, furniture, &c., £114:2:6; Nathan Godfrey's house, barn,
clothing, furniture, & provisions, £362 : 18 ; Grummond Morehouse's house, barn, provisions,
&c., £80:4:5; Doct. Ebenezer Jessup's house, barn, corn house, furniture, provisions, &c.,
£421:2:6; Simon Couch's house, barn, provisions, furniture, &c., £224: 12; Widow Eunice
Morehouse's house, barn, clothing, furniture, &c., £103:6; Ebenezer Morehouse's house,
barn & provisions, &c., £122:7:2; George Batter son's house, furniture, &c., £53: 11; John
Davis' house, furniture, provisions, clothing, &c., £58: 16; Abraham Andrews' house, barn,
store, clothing, furniture, &c., £468:10:5; Widow Sarah Andrews' house, barn, clothing, pro-
visions, &c., £156: 14; Jcssup Wakeman's house, barn, provisions, clothing, furniture. &c.,
£194:18; Gideon Morehouse's house, barn, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c., £73:14;
John Morehouse's barn, &c., £253:19; Moss Kent's house, clothing, provisions, & furni-
ture, &c., £316: 2.

At The Old Society of Fairfield — Stephen Thorp's house, barn, store-house, clothing,
provisions, furniture &c., £746: 17; Aaron Jennings' store-house, clothing, provisions, furni-
ture &c., £91 : 19 ; Eliphalet Thorp's house, barn, storehouse, provisions, clothing, furniture,
&c., £639; Increase Bradley's house, storehouse, provisions, clothing, furniture, &c., £150;
Jonathan Darrow's house, barn, clothing, & provisions, &c., £306 .g ; Samuel Sturges' house,
shop, provisions, furniture, &c., £280:3:3; James Bulkley, clothing, provisions, & furni-
ture, £18:4; Moss Bulkley's house, £40; David Beers' house, shop, clothing, provisions &
furniture, £196:3; Joseph Beers' house, barn, clothing, provisions, furniture &c., £132:12;
Reuben Beers' house, shop, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c., £530:6; Nathaniel Pier?on's
house, clothing &c., £90; Samuel Beers' house, clothing, provision, furniture &c., £141 :i9:7;
Solomon Sturges' house, barn, store, clothing, provisions, furniture &c., £270; David Bar-
low's house, barn, clothing, provisions, furniture &c., £387:12:6; Jabez Thorp's house,
barn, clothing, provisions, furniture &c., £181 : 13 ; Samuel Burr's house, barn, shop, furni-
ture, provisions &c., £761 :7: 5; Hezekiah Sturges' house, two barns, a shop, clothing, pro-
visions, furniture &c., £819: 1:5; The heirs of Benjamin Osborn, a house, clothing, pro-
visions, furniture &c., £186:13:6; Daniel Graham's barn, provisions, furniture, clothing
&c., £20; The heirs of Joseph Sturges, a house, two barns, store, clothing, provisions,
furniture &c., £400; The heirs of Peter Bulkley, a house, barn, clothing, provisions, furni-
ture &c., £118: 17; Ansel Trubee's house, furniture, clothing & provisions. £111:6; Jonathan
Sturges' house, barn, store-house, clothing, provisions, & furniture, £759:2:6; William
Lovejoy, house of Doct. Forgue, £160; The widow & heirs of Seth Osborn, two houses,
a store, provisions, clothing & furniture, £553:7:6; Seth Sturges' house, barn, furniture,
provisions & clothing, £453; Samuel Smedley's two houses, barn, shop, clothing, provisions,
furniture, &c., £795; Stephen Jennings' house, barn, provisions, furniture & clothing,
£279, David Jennings' house, shop, provisions, furniture & clothing, £310:10; Widow
Elizabeth Sturges' house, clothing, provis/ons, & furniture, £100; The heirs of An-
drew Jennings' house, clothing, furniture', & provisions, £255:17:6; John Smedley's
two houses, clothing, provisions, &c., £792:18; The widow & heirs of Gcrshom Burr,
a house, furniture, clothing, provisions, &c., £556:9:6, Ebenezer Wakeman's house,
furniture, provisions, & clothing, £141 : 17: ii; The Episcopal Society in Fairfield, a house
& barn, £195 ; The heirs of Col. David Burr, house, barn, &c., clothing, provisions, furniture,
&c. £427:11:6., Andrew Rowland's house, barn, store, clothing, furniture, & provisions,
£475; Hezekiah Nichol's house, barn, shop, furniture, provisions & clothing, £524: 6; Joseph
Squire's shop, clothing, provisions & furniture. £424:4:7; Samuel Rowland's house, barn,
clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £522:2:2; Widow Cutler's house, £30; Wakcman Burr's
house, shop, furniture, clothing. & provisions, £456: 12: 11; William Dimon's house, shop.
barn, clothing, furniture & provisions, £754: 18: 11 ; Thomas Hill's house, barn, corn-house,

APPENDIX 437

clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £330; Doct. John Aliens' house, two barns, store,
clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £830; Jonathan Lewis' house, four barns, store, corn-
house, three out-houses, clothing, furniture, provisions, &c. £973:13:6; Thaddeus Burr's
house, barn, store, out-houses, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £1,590:19:8; Widow
Ann Dimon's house, barn, & two out-houses, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c., £386: 7:9;
David Allen's two houses, barn, shop, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £551:18:2;
Samuel Penfield's house, barn, shop, out-house, stable, provisions, furniture, clothing, &c.
ii, 120:10; Jonathan Maltbie's house damaged, £1:10, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c.
£47:7; Doct. Nathaniel Lathrop, a house occupied by William Elliott, £180; Rev. Mr.
Elliott's clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £365 : i : 2 ; Capt. Job Bartram's house, shop,
two barns, store, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £1.210:3:8; Thomas Hanford Wake-
man's house, barn, furniture, clothing, provisions, &c. £197:8; Doct. Francis Forgue, a
barn & appendages, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £454; Widow Abigail Hubbell'.s
house, provisions, furniture, clothing, &c. £214:16:0; Maj. Elijah Abel's house, barn,
clothing, provisions, furniture, & c. £691:2:10; Stephen Tnrney's house damaged, two
barns, provisions, clothing, furniture, &c. £94:5: 10; The heirs of Ebenezer Burr, a house
damaged £10; Abel Gold, a barn, clothing, provisions & furniture, £124; John Parsott's
house, provisions, clothes, furniture, &c. £136:6:6; Eleazer Osborn, Jr's house, clothing,
provisions, furniture, &c. £211:9:4; The widow of Col. Gold, house, provisions, furniture,
clothing, &c. £282: 15; Edward Budington, (property of Samuel Squire,) house, £80, cloth-
ing, provisions, &c. the property of said Budington, £57:8:10; John Wasson, a house,
clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £220; Capt. Ebenezer Bartram's house, £200; Samuel
Squire, Jr., clothing, provisions, &c. £80: 18:6; Abraham Parrot, clothing, provisions, &c.
£4: 11; Daniel Osborn's house, clothing, furniture & provisions, £246: 15:6; George Allen?
house, barn, shop, clothing, provisions & furniture, £316:9; Thomas Staples' house, barn,
clothing, provisions & furniture, £294 :2 :2 ; Moses Jennings' house, barn, shop, clothing,
provisions, &c. £697:13:6; Isaac Jennings' house, barn, shop, provisions, furniture, cloth-
ing, &c. £409:7:10; Peter Burr's house, barn, store, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c.
£377:0:9; Anthony Anabel, a house & shop, £60; Widow Rebecca Jennings' house, £80,
barn, £15, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £47:17; Peter Hendricks' house, clothing,
furniture, provisions, &c. £392 ; Andrew Wakeman's house, clothing, &c. £252 : 18 ; Seth
Smith's house, clothing, &c. £56:7; The Widow Smith's house, provisions, furniture, &c.

£41:0:6; Joseph Smith's clothing, provisions, ; Widow Hannah Taylor's house.

clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. £45:4; Widow Mary Penfield's house, barn, clothing,
provisions, furniture, &c. £135 ; John Turney's two houses, barn, clothing, furniture, pro-
visions, &c. £509:10; Capt. Samuel Squire's house, provisions, clothing, furniture, &c.
£518:6:4; Jeremiah Jennings' house, provisions, clothing, furniture, &c. £220:8; The gaol

& gaoler's houses, £500, clothing, provisions, furniture, &c. ; The County house,

£1,000; Two school houses, £115; The meeting-house, £1,200; The Episcopal church, £500;
Nathan Thompson Nichol's house, £80, shop, £10, clothing, &c. £5 : 10.

Total — 97 dwelling houses, 67 barns, 48 stores, 2 school houses, i county house, 2
meeting houses & l Episcopal church. Damage was done to other individuals not men-
tioned aforesaid, to the amount of £1,855:3:2; by the destruction of persona! property, a
large share of which was owned by widows & other females.*

In May, 1787, Fairfield & the adjoining towns which had suffered from the attacks
of the British, petitioned the General Assembly for the third time for a just remuneration
of their losses. A final reply to these petitions was made in the following manner:

* State Records Conn., 1780. Hinman's War of Revolution, pp. 616-618.

438 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Lands Given The Sufferers For Losses Sustained During The War.

Upon a memorial in 1791 of the inhabitants of the towns of Fairfield & Norwalk, in
Fairfield County, the great losses occasioned by the devastations of the British during
the war were shown to the General Assembly; on which they prayed for remuneration
from the State. A committee was appointed by the Legislature, in May, 1791, to ascer-
tain from documents in the public offices, the losses, not only of the memorialists, but of
others who had been sufferers under similar circumstances, that had been estimated in
conformity to previous acts of the Assembly, such as had been occasioned by incursions
of the enemy during the war. The Assembly, therefore, in May, 1792, by a resolution
released & quit-claimed, to the sufferers, named on the State record, or to their legal repre-
sentatives, if deceased, & to their heirs & assigns forever, 500,000 acres of land, owned by
Connecticut, situated west of Pennsylvania, bounded north on Lake Erie, beginning at the
west line of said lands, & extending eastward to a line running northerly & southerly
parallel to the east line of said tract of land owned by this State, & extending the whole
width of said lands, & easterly so far as to comprise said quantity of 500,000 acres (exclu-
sive of former grants to sufferers, if any) to be divided among said sufferers & their legal
representatives, in proportion to the several sums annexed to their names on record
(which land is located in Huron County, in the State of Ohio).

The following sums were allowed to the sufferers in the several towns hereafter
named, viz. : — Sufferers in Greenwich, £12,291 : 14: oJ4 ; sufferers in Norwalk, £26,066: 0:1;
sufferers in Fairfield, £23,893 : 12:8.

Additional losses sustained by several inhabitants of Fairfield, in the enemy's expe-
dition to Danbury, viz.: — £1,436:10:11; in Danbury £8,303:17:1034; in New Haven &
East Haven £16,912: 16:6; in New London, £42,062: 13: 7; in Ridgefield, £1,730: i : 10.

The sums advanced to Ridgefield by grants of the Assembly were deducted, & the
net balances allowed.

To sufferers in Groton, £7,719: 12:2.

Whole amount of losses allowed to the sufferers by the grant of said lands, being
£251,606:8:8/2.*

♦ Sute Records Conn., 1791. Hininan's War of Revolution, p. 627.

GENEALOGICAL

ALLEN.

Gideon Allen i was at Swanzy in 1669, removed to Boston during Philip's war &
afterwards to Milford. At Swanzy he had a son John by his wife Sarah, who died be-
fore his father. He left a widow & five children, Gideon ; Sarah, & George twins 18 years
old; Hannah 7, & Abigail 4 years of age. Savage makes a great mistake when he says
that his second wife was Ann d. of Nathaniel Burr of Fairfield. See Savage's Genealogical
Dictionary.

The Fairfield Town Records state that Dr. Gideon Allen m. Anna d. of Nathaniel Burr
2d, b. Jan. 1696. This m. occurring three years after the death of Gideon i of Milford,
shows that Gideon 2. m. Anna Burr. The children of Gideon Allen 2, & Anna Burr were
Sarah b. i. April 1697; Anna 6. Jan. 1700; Gideon 7. Jan. 1702; Abigail 6. June 1705; Mary
6. Aug. 1708; John 5 Dec. 1710.

Sarah m. Thomas Couch of Greens Farms, 7. Dec. 1721 ; Mary m. Peter Penfield 28.
May 1730.

John Allen became a distinguished physician at Fairfield & m. Abigail Jessup 17. Jan.
1751; Their children were: Gideon b. 19. Oct. 1751 ; Abigail 13. March 1753; Martha i.
April, 1755; Anna 19. Jan. 1757; John 14, Aug. 1759; James 14. July, 1762; Samuel 3.
Aug. 1765; Sarah 25. Dec. 1768.

ANDREWS.

John Andrews i. b. in Essex, England, was a s. of Francis Andrews i. of Hartford
& later of Fairfield, did not marry Sarah d. of Simon Couch of Fairfield as stated in
Vol. L p. 350; but according to the town records of Middletown, Conn., he m. Bethiah
Kirby b. Feb. 14. 1658 d. of John Kirby of Middletown. John Kirby, the father was b.
in 1623 & d. in 1677. In the distribution of the estate of John Kirby by his widow Eliza-
beth, John Andrews of Fairfield was deeded, " in right of his wife's interest in her father's
estate," her portion of his estate.

John Andrews 2. afterwards deeded, "by virtue of my father's right in my grand-
father Kirby's estate certain lands within the town of Middletown, to my brother-in-law
Richard Osborn of Eastchester, near Stamford, Conn." — Fairfield Town Rec. John An-
drews 2. son of John I. m. Sarah d. of Simon Couch about 1678.

John Andrews 3. s. of John 2. m. Abigail & was bapt. at Christ's Church,

Fairfield, with his son John 27. June, 1708. — Vol. I. p. 150.

John Andrews 4. son of John 3. married Sarah d. of Simon Couch Oct. 28. 1730.
Their children were: Sarah b. Aug. 6. 1731 ; John March 17. 1734; Abraham Aug. 23.
1735; Abigail Dec. 13. 1736; Ellenor Aug. 4. 1738; Samuel Feb. 23. 1740; Isabel Sept. 20.
1742; Simon Oct. 28. 1744. — Reg. of Births, Marriages & Deaths of the Town of Fairfield
1692 to 1855. Sarah Andrews m. ist Jonathan Nash & 2d Lieut. Nathan Godfrey of
Green's Farms. Ellenor m. Dr. Edward Jessup a physician of high repute, & a brave &
distinguished surgeon in the War of the Revolution. Abigail m. Daniel Sherwood; Isabel

442 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

m. Thomas Nash. — Fairfield Town Records. From John Andrews 5. & Lydia Gorham
descended Judge Ebenezer Andrews of Chicago as follows : " Ebenezer Andrews, s. of
John & Lydia Andrews ni. Rachel Hyde of Greens Farms, who was a daughter of Arete
Jessup & Joseph Hyde, & grand-daughter of Dr. Ebenezer Jessup & Eleanor Andrews.
Judge Ebenezer Andrews was b. in Greens Farms, Conn., in 1795; graduated at Yale Col-
lege in 1817, afterward became a teacher in Louisville, Ky. ; studied law in Connecticut;
moved to Elyria, Ohio, where he lived a short time; m. Rachel Hyde in 1825; moved to
Milan, Ohio, where he practiced law for some years; was made judge in Sandusky,
Erie Co., Ohio, afterwards removed to Chicago where he d. in 1864."

Contributed by Miss Eleanor Andrews d. of Judge Ebenezer Andrews of Milan, Ohio.

CHAPMAN.

The Rev. Daniel Chapman born 14th of March, 1690, was a son of Deacon Nathaniel
Chapman of Saybrook, one of the pioneers of that settlement; & a grandson of Robert
Chapman, who tradition represents to have arrived at Boston, Mass., from Hull in York-
shire, England, in 1635. He was a graduate of Yale College in 1707. Before settling at
Green's Farms he married Grissel Lovell or Lovewell of Cape Breton. After settling at
Green's Farms he married for second wife Grissel d. of Albert Dennie born 28. Feb. 1696,
daughter of Albert Dennie & Elizabeth d. of Rev. Samuel Wakeman.— Fairfield Parish
Records. He had seven children. The Rev. Daniel Chapman resigned his parish from
ill-health, & died soon after Nov. 28th 1741. Mrs. Grissel Chapman, ye relic of ye Rev.
Daniel Chapman departed this life 10 January, 1754.— Greens Farms Parish Records.

Dennie Chapman, son of Mr. Daniel Chapman, married Desire Lovel, Oct 4th 1750.
Their children were

Elizabeth born Aug 12th 1751.
Mary born May 2nd I7S3-
Lovel born Jan'y 14th 1755.
Dennie born Aug 28th 1757.

Capt. Phineas Chapman, son of Mr. Daniel Chapman, & Sarah Ketchum, daughter
of Nathaniel Ketchum were married Sept. 22nd 1742.
Their children were

Daniel born Aug. r9th 1743.

Joseph born Aug. 29th 1745

Albert born Dec. 13th 1748.

James born April 8th 1750.

Molly born June loth 1752.

Grissel born April i6th 1755.

John born Sept. 14th 1757.

Lieut. James Chapman s. of Lieut. Phineas Chapman & Abigail Sherwood were
married March 4th 1779.
Their children were

Abigail born April 25th 1782.

James born March 28th 1784.

May born June 25th 1786.

GENEALOGICAL 443

Grissel born May 20th 1788.

Moses born Nov. 30th 1790,

Sarah born Nov. 12th 1792.

Lucy born April ist 1795.

Samuel Sherwood Chapman born Oct 15th 1797.

Jeremiah Sherwood Chapman born Oct 8th 1780 (First born child).

Greens Farms Parish Record.

Major Albert Chapman, another s. of Phineas Chapman, was one of the most active
officers in the Revolution. He was promoted major from the 7th Regiment March 5,
1778. He was taken prisoner by the British in his own house, while making an effort
to escape with his family from them; & so severe was the treatment he received that ill
health, compelled him to resign from the army Jan. i, 1781, & return to his home in
Green's Farms, where he died in 1782, leaving a family of children, of which the author
finds no mention. Before his death he was made a member of the " Order of Cincinnati."

CHAUNCY.

The Rev. Charles Chauncy b. 3rd Sept. 1668, was the eldest son of Rev. Israel
Chauncy of Stratford, & his wife Mary d. of Isaac Nichols of same place. He was a
grandson of Rev. Charles Chauncy, president of Cambridge College, & great grandson of
George Chauncy of Yardly, Herts Co., England, about thirty-three miles from London.
(Savage's Gen. Die.) He m. 29th June, 1692, Sarah d. of John Burr. She died 15. Feb.
1698. He m. 16. March, 1699, second wife Sarah, d. of the third Henry Woolcot of
Windsor, Conn. She died Jan. 1704. (Savage's Gen. Die.) His third wife was Eliza-
beth .

In his will dated 24, Dec, 1714, he mentions wife Elizabeth & five children. Israel,
John, Robert, Ichabod Woolcot, & d. Abiah. To his s. Israel he gave all his estate, " at
Lambeth near ye city of Bristol in Great Britain." To his other sons & to his d. Abiah
he left valuable land in New England and silver spoons & tankard. The Rev. Samuel
Cook became guardian for his children during their minority. (Fairfield Probate Records.)

Abiah Chauncy was born 22, Jan., 1699. Ichabod Woolcot Jan., 7th, 1704. — {Fairfield
Town Records.)

His widow Elizabeth Chauncy m. Richard Mills of New Haven. The year before
his death the Rev. Charles Chauncy deeded "April, 13th 1713, to Benjamin Fairweather
of Stratfield or Fairfield Village for the sum of i8, 6s. in money, the within mentioned
island or neck of land," from that time called Fairweather Island.

Commodore Isaac Chauncey belonged to this family & was born at Black Rock Feb.
20. 1772. He served in the war of 1812. " He took three vessels at one time, & a large
quantity of arms & stores. He died at Washington, D. C. aged 68 years & eleven months.
At the time of his death he was President of the board of Navy Commissioners. He had
the noble bearing of a gentleman & an officer. He left three sons, John & Charles, lieu-
tenants in the Navy, & Peter a clergyman."* He had previously served under Commodores
Preble & Rogers in the war with Tripoli, 1804 & 5 became captain in 1806, & was placed in
command of the naval forces on the northern lakes (except Champlain) in 1812. He
carried General Dearborn's army to York (Toronto) in April 1813, & in October defeated
an English fleet of seven vessels, capturing five, on Lake Ontario."t

* William Wheeler's Journal. t The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

COOKE.

The Rev. Samuel Cooke was the son of Thomas & Sarah Cooke of Guilford, Conn.,
& was born Nov. 22, 1687. He graduated at Yale College in 1705. He married Nov. 30,
1708, Miss Annie Trowbridge, d. of John & Annie Trowbridge of New Haven b. July 27.
1688.

It appears that the Rev. Samuel Cooke had four wives. By his first wife Annie
Trowbridge he had five children, viz. : Thomas born ist Sept. 1709; Samuel 22nd July 171 1 ;
Sarah 8th June 1713; John 31st March 1715; (these children were born at New Haven)
Annie 4th April, 1718, & William 29th May 1720. The last two were born at Stratfield.

Mrs. Annie Cooke died nth Aug. 1721.

The Rev. Mr. Cooke soon after married Esther the widow of John Sloss, & the
daughter of Nathaniel Burr of Fairfield. At her death he married Elizabeth, daughter of
Joseph Piatt, & by her had one son named Joseph Piatt Cooke. She died on the i6th of
May 1732, aged 31 years, when Mr. Cooke married Abigail the widow of Rev. Joseph Moss.
This marriage was performed at Derby 6th Aug. 1733 by Major John Burr."

Sarah Cooke daughter of the Rev. Samuel Cooke was married to Deacon James
Sherman Jan. 17th 1734, in the meeting-house on a lecture day.

BURR

* Col. John Burr was born in May 1673. He was the son of Nathaniel Burr &
grand-son of John Burr. His will was probated at Fairfield, April 26th, 1750. In this will
he mentions wife Elizabeth, the widow of Captain Joseph Wakeman by a marriage cove-
nant made 29th of March 1727; & children Abigail Hubbell & Mary Smedley ; sons John
& Joseph Burr, & grand-sons Ebenezer & David Dimon. " He died in 1750, aged 79,
was buried in the old Stratfield burial ground, situated on the King's Highway."! The
remains of his wife Elizabeth, rest in the old Burial Hill Cemetery at Fairfield, having
died Aug. 18th 1753, in the 74th year of her age.

Andrew Burr son of Mr. John Burr b. Sept. 27, 1696, m. Sarah Sturgis d. of Mr.
Jonathan Sturgis April 30, 1719, & by her had thirteen children, namely:

Ann born Feb 6, 1719I20

David born July 5, 1722

Andrew born July 24, 1724

Elizabeth born June 22, 1726

Lucretia born May 28, 1728

Mary born May 22, 1730

John born March 11, 1731I32

Susanah born April 29, 1734

George born May 26, 1736

Joseph born July 15, 1738

Walter born Sept. 9, 1740

Sarah born Sept. 2t„ 1742

Oliver born Nov 10, 1745
Mrs. Sarah Sturgis Burr died 9 Dec. 1745. Col. Andrew Burr afterwards m.
Sarah Stanley of Hartford in 1747. By this marriage he had one child, Jerusha Burr.
born Dec 3, 1749.

• See Fairfield Probate Records of Marriages and Hinhs. t Journal of William Wheeler.

GENEALOGICAL 445

Col. Andrew Burr died Nov 9, 1763, in the 68th year of his age. His wife Sarah
Stanley Burr died 29. Aug. 1769, in the 6ist year of her age.

All of Col. Andrew Burr's children were baptized at Christ's Church, Fairfield.
See Parish Records & book of Marriages & Births of Town Records.
David Burr son of Col. Andrew Burr & Eunice Osborn, daughter of Mr. Samuel
Osborn were married Dec. 11. 1751. Their children were:

Walter born Dec. 25. 1752

Lucretia born March 10. 1754

Eunice, born Dec 29, 1755.

David born Aug 8. 1757.

Wm. born July 2y. 1759

Ellen born Aug 12. 1761

Abigail born Sept 29. 1763

Sarah born April 21. 1766 & died June 2nd, 1787

Andrew born April 7. 1768
Col. David Burr died Dec 3. 1773.
Eunice Burr widow of Col. David Burr died Dec. ist 1789.

Christ's Church Parish Records & Town Book of Marriages & Births.

COL. DAVID DIMON

The following narrative was written by Ebenezer Dimon, son of Col. David Dimon,
Jan. 13th, 1841.

Fairfield.

Col. David Dimon of this town commenced his revolutionary services in 1774 by
assisting in organizing and preparing his fellow citizens in the town for that event.

In the early part of 1775 he joined a corps of volunteers which took possession of a
quantity of King's military stores in New York.

The States of Connecticut and New York having determined on raising forces for
the invasion of Canada, my father received a commission of Captain in the corps raised
for that object. I was with him from May till the end of August in their company near
the City of New York, and did the duty of waiter to him and of bugleman to the com-
pany till the company broke up and the troops proceeded under the order of Gen.
Montgomery on the Canadian expedition.

When the siege of St. Johns commenced my father was promoted to the rank of
Brigade Major, and became one of Gen. Montgomery's Staff. He assisted in taking
Fort Chamblce. A part of the select corps was led by Major Brown and the other part
by him. At the surrender of St. Johns he was appointed to take possession of the Fort
and receive the submission of the garrison.

He continued with Montgomery until he took possession of Montreal at which
time circumstances required him to return to Connecticut.

In the campaign of 1776 he was promoted to the rank of Major in one of the
Connecticut regiments raised for the defence of New York and I was with him during
the whole of this discouraging campaign. In the winter of that year Congress passed an
order for raising the regular army and he was again promoted to the rank of Lt.-Colonel
in one of the Connecticut regiments. The chief Colonel (Douglass) soon after his ap-
pointment, was taken sick and died; and the duty of recruiting and preparing the regi-
ment for actual service devolved on my father.

44^ HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

While this was in progress a detachment of the British Army under Gen. Tryon
landed on the west side of this town on their expedition to destroy a large quantity of
military stores at Danbury. As soon as the alarm had reached us here, my father as-
sembled and put in motion such of the new recruits as had been enlisted in this part of
the State, to harass the British on their march. In the battle of Ridgefield which took
place in the same expedition, he acted under the immediate orders of Gen. Arnold.
Directly after this event the regiment was filled up and prepared for actual service; and
was posted on the line between this State and New York.

The duties at this post became very arduous, requiring constant vigilance and change
of position to prevent surprise by the numerous forces of the British then in New York.

In a night movement in September the regiment became drenched in rain during
nearly the whole night; and my father the next day was seized with a bilious fever,
which proved fatal in the 36th year of his age.

At this time I was again with him.

About two years after this the house which he left was burnt by a detachment of
the British Army, in the general conflagration of this village. This loss reduced his
family nearly to a state of indigence, severely felt for ten years after.

Ebenezer Dimon.

Colonel David Dimon was the son of Ebenezer Dimon and Mary Burr.

He was born at Fairfield, Aug. 23, 1741, and died in the army Sept. 18. 1777.

When the militia of Conn, were organized by the Gen. Court in April. 1775, he was
commissioned Capt. of the 4th Co. 5th Regt., which was the Fairfield Co. regiment. He
was commissioned Major and afterwards Lieut. -Col. of one of the Connecticut Line Regts.,
which was raised under the authority of the Continental Congress, and constituted a
part of the regular army of that time.

He left a widow and eight children, William Dimon, Ebenezer Dimon, Mrs. Gershom
Bradley, Mrs. Benj. Osborne, Mrs. David Sturges, Mrs. Uriah Sturges, Mrs. Gould Hoyt,
& Mrs. Miah Perry.

Ebenezer Dimon, son of Capt. Moses Dimon, was bapt. March 18. 1705. He m. about
1730 Mary, daught. of Col. John Burr & his wife Deborah Barlow. Their children were:
Ebenezer bapt. Jan. 10, 1731 ; Abigail Feb. i, 1732; Deborah April 2'J, 1735; Mary Jan. 26
1737; William June 24 1739; David Aug. 23 1741 ; Sarah Dec. 18. 1746. Ebenezer Dimon
died May 28, 1746, in the 42d year of his age. He was a graduate of Yale College, & for
many years sheriff of Fairfield County. His widow married Col. James Smedley Jan. 4,
1748, & died Sept. 12, 1760.

Col. Jonathan Dimon, s. of Moses Dimon Esqr & Hannah d. of Mr. Joseph Rowland,
were m. Feb. 14, 1760. Jonathan, their son was bapt. in Christ's Church, Fairfield March
4. 1761. Register of Births, Marriages & Deaths, 1692-1855.

Thomas Burr Osborne, born July 8, 1798, in Weston, Conn. He was fitted for
college at Staples' Academy in that town, and graduated at Yale College in 181 7. He
studied law under the instruction of Hon. Scth P. Staples, and was admitted to the bar
at New Haven in 1820. In the same year he commenced the practice of law in Fairfield,
Conn. He held the office of Clerk of the Superior and County Courts from 1826 to 1839,
practicing law at the same time. In 1839 was elected a Representative in Congress, and
was re-elected in 1841, and in 1844 was elected to the Senate of Connecticut, and the
same year appointed Judge of Fairfield County Court, which office he held several years.
In 1836 and in 1850 represented the town of Fairfield in the Legislature, and was one
year Judge of Probate for Fairfield district. In 1854 he removed to New Haven, aJid

GENEALOGICAL 447

in 185s was appointed Professor of Law in Yale College, which professorship he held
until 1865, when he resigned. He married, September 6, 1826, Elizabeth Huntington,
daughter of Ebenezer Dimon, of Fairfield, and died September 2, 1869, at New Haven.
Their children were :

Arthur Dimon, born April 17, 1828, sr.d married, August 2, 1858, Frances Louisa,
daughter of Eli Whitney Blake.

Thomas Fitch, born January 31, and died June 20, 1830.

Mary Elizabeth, born October 11, 1833, and married June 30, 1856, Hon. Henry B.
Harrison.

DWIGHT

After the Revolution Fairfield county became distinguished throughout the country
for its men of learning & talent. Among these were the celebrated Rev. Dr. Timothy
Dwight of Greenfield Hill, whose widespread influence at that time & subsequently gives
his name a fitting & honored place in these reminiscences. He was installed pastor of
the Congregational Church in Greenfield on the 5. of Nov. 1783. His brilliant talents
drew from the neighboring churches the frequent attendance of the lovers of religious
eloquence. His home became the resort of learning, talents & refinement. His doors were
ever open to welcome the stranger as well as the friend. Soon after he settled at Green-
field he established a school which became celebrated throughout the country. From all
parts of the United States children were sent to this school. Among the most distinguished
of his pupils were Henry Baldwin, afterwards " one of the Justices of the Supreme Court
of the United States, & Joel R. Poinsett of South Carolina, who became Secretary of
War during the administration of President Van Buren."* This school educated young
ladies as well as gentlemen in a higher degree of culture than was usually given in those
days.

Dr. Dwight wrote several poems, from one of which the following lines written on
the beautiful view from Greenfield Hill are taken.

" Heavens, what matchless groups of beauties rare
Southward expand ! where crowned with yon tall oak
Round hill, the circling land & sea o'erlooks ;
Or, smoothly sloping, Grover's beauteous rise
Spreads its green sides, & lifts its single tree
Glad mark for Seamen ; or, with ruder face,
Orchards, & fields, & groves, & houses rare.
And scattered cedars. Mill-hill meets the eye;
Or, where beyond, with every beauty clad.
More distant heights in vernal pride ascend.
On either side, a long, continued range
In all the charms of rural nature dress'd
Slopes gently to the main. Ere Tryon sunk
To infamy unfathom'd, thro' yon grove
Once glistened Norwalk's white ascending spires ;
And soon, if Heaven permit ; shall .shine again.
Here, sky-encircled Stratford's churches beam ;
And Stratfield's turrets greet the roving eye.
* See Rev. Henry B. Smith's One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary Address of the Greenfield Congrega-
tional Church.

448 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

In clear full view, with every varied charm
That formed the finished landscape, blending soft
In matchless union, Fairfield & Green's Farms
Give lustre to the day. Here crowded with pines
And skirting groves, with creek & havens fair
Embellished, fed with many a beauteous stream,
Prince of the waves, & Ocean's favorite child,
Far westward fading in confusion blue.
And eastward stretch'd beyond the human ken.
And mingled with the sky; there Longa's Sound
Glorious expands."

Beside the poems of Dr. Dwight he published a very interesting volume of travels.

Dr. Dwight graduated at Yale College in 1769, & became a teacher in the New Haven
grammar school. He was appointed tutor of Yale College from 1771-1777. He became
chaplain in the army of the Revolution from Sept. 4. 1777, until IMarch 1779. Upon his
father's death he took charge of his mother & her family at Northampton, until called to
be pastor of the church at Greenfield Hill, Nov. 5. 1783.

On the 25. of June, 1795, he was elected President of Yale College, & on the 8. of
Sep. 1795, he formally entered upon his duties. The College flourished under his influence,
& became of wide world note. In 1798 he endowed a professorship in chemistry of
which Professor Benjamin Silliman, at the age of twenty, was chosen professor. In 1810
he founded a medical school, which was sanctioned by the Legislature of the State;
which in 1813 was completed with four professors. He made preparations for a theological
professorship ; but it was not fully carried out until after his death. New buildings
were erected in which more commodious recitation rooms, & a larger chemical laboratory,
& library rooms were added; towards all of which Dr. Dwight largely contributed from
his private resources.

"He was an ardent lover of music; a poet of merit; a teacher of extraordinary
ability, & one of the first preachers of his generation. He was the author of that beautiful
hymn so often sung in our churches."

" I love thy kingdom Lord,
The house of thine abode.
The Church our Rlcst Redeemer saved
With his own precious blood."

His death was universally lamented throughout the country, for a great intellect
such as but few men are fully endowed with, was his crowning glory.

President Timothy Dwight b. May 3. 1752 was the son of Timothy Dwight of North-
ampton, Mass. & Mary Edwards d. of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, Pastor of the church at
Northampton, afterwards President of the College in New Jersey Nov. 8. 1750, who d.
at Natchez June 10, 1772, aged 52; & his widow Mary Edwards d. at Northampton Feb.
28, 1807 aged 73* Their son President Timothy Dwight m. March 3. 1777. l^Tary d.
Benjamin Woolsey Esqr. of Dorsons L. I. by whom he had 8 sons. He d. at New ILaven
Jan. II. 1817, aged 64.

Timothy Dwight, a grandson of President Dwight, was b. at Norwich, Conn. Nov.
16. 1828; graduated at Yale College 1849; studied divinity at Yale 1851-1855, & at Bonn &

• Genealogical Notes— Goodwin.

GENEALOGICAL 449

Berlin 1856-58, became professor of sacred literature & New Testament Greek in the
Divinity School at Yale, in 1858; was appointed president of Yale College in 18S6 (re-
signed 1899) ; & was a member of the New Testament Revision Company. He published,
" The True Ideal of an American University " 1872 &c.*

ELIOT

The Rev. Andrew Eliot succeeded Rev. Noah Hobart of Christ's Church, & was or-
dained & installed 22. June 1774. He was a son of the Rev. Andrew Eliot, D.D., pastor
of the North Church in Boston. He was b. in 1743; graduate of Harvard College in 1762.
In 1768 he was chosen tutor at Harvard & in 1773 & fellow of the corporation, whick
office he resigned for Christ's Church, Fairfield.

The Rev. Mr. Eliot died on the 26. of September, 1805, in the 63d year of his age
& the 32d of his ministry. He was buried in Burial Hill Cemetery. He m. July, 19.
1774, Mary d. of Hon. Joseph Pynchon of Boston, Mass. She d. Dec. 10. 1810, & her
remains rest beside those of her husband.

Their children were: Mary b. July 4. 1775; Elizabeth b. Oct 29. 1776; Eunice Burr
b. Aug. 16. 1778; Andrew b. Aug. 15. 1780; Sarah Nov. 2 1782; Ruth Martha July 25 1785;
&' Susanna Dec. i 1790. Fairfield Register of Births & Marriages & Deaths — 1692-1855.

Andrew Eliot became a minister, & settled over the Congregational Church of Mil-
ford, Conn. Eunice Burr m. Elijah Bibbins; Ruth m. Dr. William Nash of Bridgeport,
Conn.; Elizabeth m. Brig.-Gen. Gershom Burr; Mary m. Capt. Andrew Joy; Susanna
m. Rev. Nathaniel Hewit, D.D.

FORGUE

Dr. Forgue married Sarah daughter of Mr. David Thompson, and widow of James
Dennie. Their son Francis Forgue soon after the Revolution established the first printing
press and newpaper in Fairfield, called the Fairfield or Independent Gazette — The Intel-
ligencer.

Dr. Forgue became a highly respected physician and citizen of Fairfield. He died
Feb. 26. 1783, in the 54th year of his age. His widow died Jan. 24, 1796, aged 72 years.
Their tombstones are to be seen in the Burial Hill Cemetery.

GOLD

Col. Abraham Gold b. 14. May, 1732, was a grandson of Lieut. Governor Nathan
Gold, & son of Mr. Samuel Gold. He m. Elizabeth d. of Col. John Burr i. Jan. 1754.
Their children were Abigail b. 15. Nov. 1754; Hezekiah 9. Dec. 1756; Elizabeth bapt. 11.
Feb. 1759; John Burr 12. April 1761 ; Deborah 31. July 1763; Abraham 9. March 1766;
Ann 5. March 1769; Jason 24. Feb. 1771 & Daniel 25. Feb. 1776. Col. Abraham Gold d.
at Ridgefield April 27. 1777, aged 44 years. On his tombstone beneath his name, arc those
of his sons "John Burr who died at sea June 2. 1781 aged 20 years; Hezekiah drowned
at New York Oct. 30. 1789 aged 30 years, & Daniel drowned on the coast of Fiance Dec.
28th, 1790, aged 20 years." . . . His widow Mrs. Elizabeth Burr Gold lies buried by the
side of her lamented husband. She died 5. Sept. 181 5, in the 84th year of her age.

* The Century Dictionary and Encyclopedia.
29

450 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

GOODSEL

The Rev. John Goodsel was born Dec 25. 1706; graduated at Yale College 1724, was
ordained at the age of 21. He married Miss Mary Lewis of Stratford, July 20. 1725. She
was born May 18, 1706. Their children were: Hannah b. Aug 9, 1726, & bapt. Aug 15,
1726. — Mary b. Nov. 29. 1727, bapt. Dec. 3. 1727. — John b. April 14. 1730, bapt. April 19.
1730. — Thomas b. Dec. 4. 1731, bapt. Dec 12. 1731. — Sarah b. May 4. 1735, bapt. Dec 12.
1735.— Epaphras b. Jan. 13. 1736, bapt. Jan. 18, 1736. — Abigail b. Jan. 8, 1738; bapt. Jan.
»5- 1738. — Huldah b. April 4. 1740; bapt. April 16. 1740.— Epaphras 2d b. ]\1ay 23. 1742;
bapt. May 29. 1742. — Lewis & Phebe (twins), b. Oct. 23, 1744, bapt. Oct. 23, 1744 — Samuel
b. June 19. 1746; bapt. June 29. 1746. — James b. July 19. 1748; bapt. in infancy. — James
(joodsel 2d b. Aug. 24. 1749, bapt. Aug 27. 1749.— Epaphras i. died Jan. 6. 1742. Phebe
died Nov. 1744. James d. July 31, 1748.

Moses Wakeman & Mary Goodsel were married Aug. 21. 1744.

Elisha Alvord & Hannah Goodsel were married May 11. 1745.

John Goodsel & Sarah Bradley were married Jan. 18. 1749.

Archibald Blair & Abigail Gcodsel were married Feb. 24. 1754.

Elnathan Bradley & Sarah Goodsel were married Oct 6. 1754.

Silas Hull & Huldah Goodsel were married Nov. 26. 1761.

Epaphras Goodsel & Jane Bradley were married Dec 5. 1765.

Samuel Goodsel & Phebe Davis were married Jan 23. 1766.

Lewis Goodsel & Eunice Wakeman March 2. 1767.

Children of John Goodsel jr. & Sarah Bradley: Sarah Goodsel b. Sep. 1749. bapt Oct
'5 1749 — Mary Goodsel b. July 1751, bapt. July 21. 1751.

— Greenfield Hill Parish Records.

HEwrr

The Rev. Nathaniel Hewit was the successor of the Rev. Dr. Humphry in the Con-
gregational Church, Fairfield. He was born in New London, Conn., Aug. 28, 178S. In early
boyhood he exhibited a fine & brilliant mind which in after y^ars won for him a more
than ordinary degree of celebrity. He was educated at Yale College at the time that Dr.
Timothy Dwight was the President. He was ordained & installed pastor of the Presby-
terian church in Plaltsburg, N. Y., by the presbytery of Champlain July 5, 1815. In this
charge he remained until Oct. 2. 1817. He was installed in Fairfield on the 14. of Jan.
1818. At that time the church was mainly supported by men of high standing in the legal
profession, Fairfield not only being a business centre, but the county shire town, where
judges & lawyers from all parts of the State assembled during the court seasons. Here
on the Sabbath they listened to the learned & eloquent Dr. Hewit with profound attention,
for they were not able then to reach their homes by steam as now a days. The eloquent
warnings & denunciations of Dr. Hewit against intemperance & against moderate drinking
as the cause of intemperance, in his own & other pulpits, soon made a profoimd impres-
sion on the public mind. The use of strong drink at that time was one of the conven-
tional laws of social intercourse & hospitality. It was supposed to he absolutely necessary
to health & ability to endure the fatigue of ordinary labor.

About this time the American Temperance Society was formed for the suppression
of this growing evil. Dr. Hewit was called to be a leader in this work. During a period
of five years he was most zealous in the cause, & visited numerous places in Connecticut,

GENEALOGICAL 45 1

Rhode Island, New York, & Pennsylvania organizing temperance societies. His success
in this agency proved his ability for the work.

He was in consequence urged to resign his pastorate & give himself wholly to the
temperance cause. Accordingly in Dec. of 1827 he resigned his charge at Fairfield to
enter upon this work. The first sermon preached afterwards was in the present Brick
Church of Dr. Spring in New York.

In Dec, 1830. he was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Bridgeport.
The following May he made powerful addresses before the New York Temperance So-
ciety at their anniversary. John Tappan Esqr. of Boston offered to pay his expenses if
he would visit England, & assist in a temperance reform in that country. He accepted
the offer, & sailed for England on the 18. of May 1831. He arrived in London June 28;
& on the 29. he attended a temperance meeting at Exeter Hall, where he made an able
address. On the 19. of July he was present at the formation of the British & Foreign
Temperance Society, & thus witnessed the great object of his foreign tour. He also
visited Paris, returned to London, & then proceeded to Liverpool. He arrived home the
1st of Nov. after a stormy voyage of fortj'-two days. His ministry at Bridgeport continued
to prosper, & for more than twenty years he preached to a large congregation. At the
end of this time, a difference arising in regard to procuring an assistant to be associated
with this venerable pastor, the difficulty was settled by a division of the congregation into
two churches, the one retaining the old organization & calling a new minister. & the other
forming a new organization & retaining their old pastor. Dr. Hewit was installed in the
new church Oct. 31, 1853. He continued to fulfil the duties of his office until well ad-
vanced towards four score j'ears, when his people, at his request, gave him an assistant,
to whom he afterwards resigned his charge. Dr. Hewit left two sons the Rev. Dr.
Augustus Hewit, who became one of the Paulist Fathers in the Roman Catholic Church
in New York ; & Dr. Henry Hewit, who also became a Romanist. He left one daughter
who married Dr. Bowen of New Haven. Dr. Hewit was twice married — the first wife
having been a daughter of the Rev. Andrew Eliot & the second wife a Miss Hillhouse
of New Haven. He died at Bridgeport on the 6th of Feb. His funeral sermon was
preached by Rev. Dr. Lyman H. Atwater of Fairfield. He was buried in the new cemetery
at Bridgeport.

HOBART

Rev. Noah Hobart was born in Hingham, Mass. Jan 12th 1706. He was the son
of David & grand-son of Rev. Peter Hobart ist Pastor of the church in Hingham. He
married Ellen Sloss d. of John Sloss Sept 2nd I735- His children were John Sloss
Hobart b. May 6th 1738; Ellen b. Oct 15th 1741 ; Noah b. Jan i8th 1743; & died Sept 12th

1747-

John Sloss Hobart m. Mary Grinnell of New York.

Mrs. John Sloss Hobart d. August 1803. Judge John Sloss Hobart d. Feb. 4th 1805
& left no children. He was a distinguished jurist of New York City.

Ellen Hobart m. Dr. Nathaniel Lothrop of Plymouth, Mass., & d. in Plymouth July
1st 1780 leaving no children.

Mrs. Noah Hobart d. August 4th 1753.

Rev. Noah Hobart next m. in 1757 Mrs. Priscilla Lathrop of Plymouth, Mass., who
survived him.

Rev. Noah Hobart d. Dec 6th 1773, & was buried in the Burial Hill Cemetery, where
a stone of white marble marks his grave.

452 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

HULL

The name of Dr. David Hull also is one of affectionate remembrance to the inhabi-
tants of Fairfield, among whom he was the leading physician for many years. " Dr. Hull
was the son of Joseph Hull of Derby & was born 1764. He graduated at Yale College,
& studied medicine under Dr. William Eustice of Boston. He married a daughter of the
Rev. Dr. Andrew Eliot of Boston Nov. 10. 1789, & settled at Fairfield where he died in
1834, aged 70." Dr. Hull was a brother of Gov. William Hull of Massachusetts, & Uncle
to Commodore Isaac Hull of the United States Frigate " Constitution." A daughter of
Dr. Hull, Miss Eliza Hull, resided in the new house on the corner of the green, the
memorable home before the Revolution of her Uncle the Rev. Andrew Eliot.

HUMPHRY

The Rev. Herman Humphry was elected the successor of Mr. Eliot. He was or-
dained April 16, 1807, & was settled at Fairfield on a salary of six hundred dollars a
year. He was the first pastor of this church who did not remain in his office during his
ministry. On the 15. of May, 1817, after having been pastor of the society for ten years,
he resigned the parish & was settled as pastor of the first church in Pittsfield, Mass.
Not long after this he became President of Amherst College, an office which he filled
with distinguished success. Dr. Humphry died in Pittsfield in 1861. He left several
children who occupied positions of honor & influence. He was succeeded by the Rev.
Nathaniel Hewit, D.D.

LAMSON

The Rev. Joseph Lamson of Stratford succeeded the Rev. Mr. Caner in 1747. He
had been educated at Yale College, & was a convert from the Congregational church. He
went to England for Episcopal ordination, & upon his return first preached at Bedford
& New Castle in the province of New York, & also at Ridgefield in Connecticut. The
parish of Norficld, now called Weston & Easton, had by this time erected a church of
its own. The parish at Stratfield also had erected a church upon the Plain of Pequonnuc
a short distance east of the grove near the new cemetery, the number of families by this
time having increased to about twenty-five. By these changes the parish of Fairfield was
reduced in limits to the villages of Greens Farms, Greenfield, & Southport, or Mill River.
The parishes of Stratfield & Norfield, however, continued under the care of the Rev.
Mr. Lamson who preached once a month at Stratfield, & at Norfield, giving them be-
sides as much of his time as his parish at Fairfield would allow. He was an able &
accomplished scholar, a devoted and enthusiastic churchman, greatly beloved among his
people. He had studied medicine & made his early profession as a physician contribute
toward his support.

The Rev. Joseph Lamson m. Alethea d. of Rev. James Wetmore of Rye, N. Y., July
26. 1747. Their children were Anna b. May 18. 1748 & d. July lO, 1753; Alethea b. Oct. 27.

1749; Esther b. Feb. 25. 1751 ; William Oct. 1752; Anna b. Jan. 28. 1754; Elizabeth b.

May 5. I7s6.— Fairfield Book of Births, Marriages & Deaths.

The Rev. Mr. Lamson d. Aug. 12. 1773; & is believed to have been buried in Burial

Hill Cemetery where Mrs. Lamson was buried, & who d. Feb. 8. 1766 aged 44 years.

Their eldest d. Anna was also buried in this cemetery by the side of her mother; but

GENEALOGICAL 453

there is nothing to mark Mr. Lamson's grave. — Mrs. B. Perry's Old Burying Ground of
Fairfield.

The Rev. Joseph Lamson appears to have m. again, as in his will dated June i. 1773,
he mentions wife Mary, to whom he gives £10 & all the household furniture she brought
with her. He mentions Esther w. of Stephen Hoyt; Anna wife of Samuel Belden, sons
William & John ; & d— 's Elizabeth & Alethea.

LABORIE

Dr. James Laborie of Stratford purchased of Isaac Jennings of Fairfield May 14.
1718, one & one quarter acres of land near the rocks, with a stone house an orchard &
fences; "bounded on all sides with the commons." Fairfield Town Records Vol. 3. p.
302. Before removing to Fairfield he had married Mary, the daughter of Nathaniel Burr,
the youngest son of John Burr Sr. In his will dated March 17. 1731, he gives to his
son James all his surgical instruments & all his French writings. To his son John, " if
he comes again," he gave five shillings ; to his daughter Anna six shillings ; to his daugh-
ter Jeanne five pounds ; to his daughter Mary ten pounds ; to his grandson John Laborie
his gun. His movable estate he gave to his widow Mary, & the use of his real estate ;
& at her death the use of it to his son James until he became of age, when he was to
receive it. Dr. Laborie died at Fairfield. Fairfield Town & Probate Records.

Dr. James Laborie, son of the above Dr. James Laborie married Deborah (probably
Lewis) & resided at Stratford where he practiced medicine. He died & was buried at
Stratford in the year 1773. His widow received "one third of his real estate at Strat-
ford & in Ripton Parish, bounded westerly by her own land." John Cable of Greens
Farms m. Ann Laborie of Stratford May 3. 1756.

McKENSEY

Dougal McKensey, after whom Kensey's Point was named, married Sarah Wake-
man widow of Samuel Wakeman 2. & daughter of Joshua Knowles of Fairfield, Nov.
18. 1696. Their children were Abigail b. Aug. 4. 1700 & died; John b. Oct. 18. 1701 ; Daniel
April 30. 1703; Ann Feb. 7. 1905; Elizabeth b. 29. Sept. 1706; Mary b. Oct. 10. 1708 &
Samuel Oct. 8. 1710. His daughter Sarah m. David Thompson; Ann married the Rev.
Henry Ganer, & Elizabeth m. Bostwick.

Upon the marriage of his daughter Ann to the Rev. Henry Ganer, he gave half an
acre of land to Henry Ganer in his home lot. This lot is opposite the present post-office
at Fairfield.

Upon his death Dougal McKensey willed to Trinity Ghurch one hundred pounds
in real estate in Fairfield, "to be used for the support of the church," as the Rector &
vestry should deem most proper"; & that all his real estate should be taxed according
to his just proportion, for the support of the minister of Trinity Ghurch.

Fairfield Parish & Town & Probate Records.

NOUGEIERE

Anthony Nougeiere, who was probably a Frenchman, is represented by a notary
of London, England, ir July, 1694, "although born beyond the seas," to be a legal resident

454 HISTORY OF FAIRRIELD

of England with all the rights of native born subjects of that Kingdom. Upon his tak-
ing up his residence in Fairfield, he presented his English papers of naturalization be-
fore Judge Nathan Gold April 17th 1705. He purchased in Fairfield housing & land of
Robert Lord valued at £45 in silver money, & other lands in 1703 & 1705. He died
23rd Oct. 1740. In his will dated Oct. 7th 1740, he mentions wife Sarah, to whom he
left the use of all his estate personal & real, & the services of his negro woman Eliza-
beth during her life, if she remained faithful to his wife, otherwise she should be sold
after his death. After the decease of his wife he left the use of £150, to the Rector &
Tutors of Yale College & their successors forever; to Rev. Noah Hobart & to his suc-
cessors in the ministry of the same persuasion £200 ; to the public school near the meeting-
house, towards the support of the master of said school & hi.s successors, £150; to his
beloved friend Capt. Thomas Hill & his heirs, his homestead in Fairfield, buildings &
land adjoining; to the French Church in Boston, Mass. iioo; to the poor of the town
of Fairfield the annual use & profit of £150 forever; to his servant girl Ann her freedom
at the age of eighteen & £150; to his loving cousin Auranth of New Port R. I. the re-
mainder of his estate. He made Major Andrew Burr & Capt. Thomas Hill his executors.*

His widow died in 1743. In her will she leaves to her beloved son Andrew Wheeler
£150 bills of credit old currency.

To her well beloved son Benjamin Fairwcather she willed a dwelling house, barn
& thirteen acres at Stratfield.

To the children of Katherine (the late wife of Peter Hubbell of Newton, deceased)
she gave £20 in old bills of credit to each upon their arriving at age.

To her well beloved daughter Mary, the wife of John Holberton, a parcel of land
at Rosster of about nine acres, her best bed, bedstead, iron curtain-rods, green rug, quilt
& furniture of s'd bed, chest of drawers, oval & tea table ; largest & smallest silver cups,
& silver porringer.

To her daughter Abiah, the wife of John Cornwall. £200 in bills of credit old cur-
rency, her gold necklace & one silver cup.

To her two daughters Penelope the wife of Richard Hul)bell, & Sarah the wife of
Daniel Morrisse she willed each a silver cup.

To her granddaughter Hannah, the daughter of her son Joseph Fairwcather deceased,
she gave £20 equivalent to bills of old currency.

To her children John, Thomas, Penelope, Sarah & Mary tlie remainder of her estate
to be equally divided between them.

To her son John, Penelope & Sarah she willed land at Tashua. To Penelope she
willed three acres of land at Stratfield purchased of Ephraim Ilubbell & lying between
her brush and Richard Hubbell's & the land of Temperance Hubbell.

Lt. David Sherman junr. of Stratfield was appointed her sole executor. f

No. 8

ROWLAND

Mr. David Rowland, son of Samuel Rowland, lirst married Mrs. Deborah Sloss Dec.
1745. Lhcir children were:
Esther b. Sept 17. 1746 & d. Sept 25. 1748.

Deborah wife to David Rowland died Sept. 29, I7-|8, in the 36th year of her age.
David Rowland married Elizabeth Hill daughter of Capt. Thomas Hill Feb. 14. 1750.
* Fairfield Probate Records. t Fairfield Probate Records.

GENEALOGICAL 455

Their children were

Esther b. Oct. 29, 175 1.

Mrs. Elizabeth Rowland died July 18. 1753.

This only surviving child Esther married Captain Samuel Smedley.— Register of
Births, Marriages & Deaths— Fairfield Town Records.*

A member of the Rowland family of London informed the author of this history that
the Rowlands were of Welsh extraction, & that the name of Henry Rowland came from
a marriage between a Rowland & Mathew Henry of Broad Oak, Flintshire, Wales, whose
chief work is the Exposition of the Old & New Testament, 1708-10.

• S HELTON

After the burning of Trinity Church, Fairi'ield, by the British, the services of the
Church of England were held at the house of Abraham Bulkley Esqr. opposite the Meeting-
house Green, & at John Sherwood's at Greenfield Hill & Ilezekiah Sturges' at Mill Plain.
At a meeting of the wardens & vestry of the church Sept. 1779, at the residence of Mr.
John Sherwood of Greenfield Hill, a committee was appointed to hire Mr. Philo Shelton
as a lay reader, in which office he continued until his ordination. He was one of four
young men first ordained in the United States by Bishop Seabury at Middletown, Conn.
Aug. 3. 1785, Bishop Seabury having been the first American bishop, consecrated to that
office in Scotland Nov. 4. 1784. From this time he took full charge of Trinity Church &
the missionary labors with which it was connected.

Dr. Shelton had not only the honor but pleasure of introducing the first Book of
Common Prayer, after it had been revised from that of the Church of England by the
Convention of the Episcopal Giurch held in Philadelphia Oct. 16. 1786.

Dr. Shelton's mission field extended to Greenfield Hill, North Fairfield, now Easton
& Weston, & Stratfield. Owing to the crippled condition of the Episcopalians, the new-
church built upon the military parade ground at Mill Plain was not completed until 1792,
when to the great joy of the good churchmen at Fairfield a beautiful church at last greeted
their longing eyes, to which, on horseback and on foot, many gladly attended. The
children of Israel were not more rejoiced when the new temple was rebuilt after the first
was destroyed, than these God-loving & God-fearing people.

This new church on Mill Plain was large & commodious. The reading desk was
built according to the English fashion in front of the pulpit, the latter rising some six
feet immediately in the rear above it. Both were elegantly decorated with crimson satin
damask coverings, with cushions of the same, ornamented with large tassels, upon which
the Bible, the Prayer Book & the clergyman's sermon, covered with black velvet, rested.
Heavy bullion fringe of crimson silk ran around the pulpit and reading desk. Under the
desk stood an altar of solid mahogany upon which to lay their alms & oblations before
their Heavenly Father, in whose Holy Temple they had just cause to build an altar before
& upon which, as in the Levitical days, they offered up praises & prayers & thanksgivings.
Behind the pulpit hung an elegant crimson silk-velvet curtain.

The following is a copy of a letter written by the Rev. Dr. Philo Shelton to Mr.
William Winthrop of Cambridge, Mass. :

" Bridgeport, Sept. 28. 1808
" Dear Sir,

"I received at the hands of Capt. Fairweather the curtain presented by you to the
good people of Fairfield under my Episcopal charge, for the benefit & ornamentation of
*Hist. Fairfield. Vol. I., p. 403.

456 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

the Pulpit Window. I immediately carried it to Fairfield, & caused it to be put in its
place, which much becomes the little Church, which is poor in temporal adornment, &
gratefully receives any oblation charitable persons feel disposed of bestowing; & in the
name of the Vestry & in their behalf, I present you their grateful acknowledgment, &
sincere wishes for your health & prosperity, hoping in some future peregrination you may
have the pleasure of seeing it hang in the place you designed it for; & may the best of
blessings descend upon the head of those who feel a disposition to adorn the Church of
God with decent attire, that all may worship God in the beauty of holiness, & our hearts
be impressed with suitable respect when we approach his presence in his house. With all
riue respect & esteem, I subscribe myself, your most obedient humble servant.

Philo Shelton.
"To Air. William \\'inthrop."

A commodious rectory was also built for the use of the Rector; & altogether the
Episcopalians were perhaps more prosperous than e\er before.

The Rev. Dr. Shelton was a man of marked ability. He was as brave as a lion in
the maintainance of his clerical duties, from which he never shrank for an instant, how-
ever great the impediments thrust in his way. In his disposition he was the soul of
nobility of thought & action, & his heart was as tender as that of a child. He was loved
& venerated by all his parishioners, for he was a tower of strength within himself to
them & to the church. It may be truly said of him that the spirit of God was with him.
He was among the leading churchmen of his day, for years a member of the Standing
Committee of the Diocese, an active & zealous member of the General Conventions of
the Episcopal Church throughout the United States. Few men were ever more beloved,
& none more mourned than this venerable father of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
He passed from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant on the 27. of Feb. 1825.

" From his youth he was deeply impressed with the importance of embracing the
christian religion. Viewing this life as the commencement of man's existence, & the only
time allotted to him, in which he may prepare for enjoying an eternity of happiness, the
proper improvement of the present time, to the future welfare of the soul, became to him
the subject of the deepest interest. Under these impressions he embraced Christianity in
early life & came to the Holy Communion as an instituted means of grace. Finding by
sweet experience that the path of virtue & religion was the. path of peace, he became
anxious that others should participate with him in the cheering prospects of a glorious
immortality. This excited his desire to become a dispenser of those doctrines and sacra-
ments which were the source of his own consolation & hope."

Before his death he had the satisfaction of seeing the churches in North Fairfield &
Bridgeport in vigorous growth, so much so that in the thriving borough of Bridgeport ;
the location of the first church near the cemetery was found to be too small, which made
it expedient to erect a new one among the more thickly settled parts of the population.
In this work, which commenced in 1801, Dr. Shelton assisted his people not only by his
counsel, but by liberal contributions. ■ As age crept upon him the gigantic labors of his
youth were laid upon younger men; & he confined his last days to his beloved parishes
■ in Bridgeport & Fairfield.

In the church at Mill Plain was placed a marble slab bearing the testimony of his
useful life in the church.

The Rev. Dr. Philo Shelton was born .it Huntington, Conn.. May 5. 1734, & was the
son of Samuel Shelton of Huntington, who m. Abigail d.'uight. of Philo S: Mehitable
Nichols. He graduated at Yale College in 1775. He was for forty years Rcctur oi St.

GENEALOGICAL 457

John's Church Bridgeport & of Trinity Church Fairfield. lie d. 27. Feb. 1825 & was
buried under the chancel of the church at Mill Plain. He m. Lucy d. of Philip & Mary
Prince of Stratford, Conn. Their children were: Lucy b. 27. June 1782; Joseph Prince
b. 18. ^lay 1784; Maria b. 4. Jan. 1787; Philo Nichols b. 8. Feb. 1790; Henrietta b. 16. Jan.
1792; Henry b. 31. Jan. 1795; William b. 14. Sept. 1798; George Augustus b. 25. Nov. 1800;
Margaret b. 26. Aug. 1803.

Mrs. Philo Shelton d. in 1838 in the seventy-eighth year of her age, having outlived
her husband thirteen years. Her funeral was attended by the late lamented Rev. Dr.
Gurdon Coit, who for many years was rector of St. John's Church Bridgeport. The late
Rev. Dr. Samuel Jarvis in writing of her said : " Husband & wife were so blended to-
gether that they seemed to have but one will & one heart. His God was her God ; his
Redeemer her Redeemer; his church her church; his people her people."

Joseph Prince Shelton m. Henrietta Hoyt ; Maria Shelton m. Jeremiah Sturges of
Southport, Conn.; Philo Nichols Shelton m. Sarah Allycock; Henry Shelton m. Mary
Ann Tweedy; George Augustus m. Fanny Bartow; Lucy & Henrietta remained single.

William son of Rev. Philo Shelton m. Lucretia Stanly Grosvenor late in life. He
graduated at the General Theological Seminary N. Y. in 1823, & was Presbyter by the
same in 1825 in the Episcopal Church at Mill Plain. During his ministry the services of
the Episcopal Church were begun in the Academy in 1828 at Southport. Dr. Shelton re-
moved from Fairfield to Buffalo in Aug. 1829, where, under his prosperous ministry, his
devoted parishioners erected one of the finest cathedrals in the United States ; & where in
1879 they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his valued ministry among them. As he
advanced in years he paid an annual visit to his father's homestead in Bridgeport, which
he called his "earthly paradise"; & in which home he died well advanced in years Oct.
II, 1883. He was buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport.

It is a fact to be remarked here, that this able clergyman before he left for Buffalo
had the satisfaction of seeing the Episcopal churches of Norfield, Bridgeport & Fairfield
in a flourishing condition. There were also thriving churches at Westport, Norwalk,
Bridgefield & Wilton.

A handsome monument was erected to the memory of the Rev. Philo Shelton & his
wife in the new & beautiful Mountain Grove Cemetery at Bridgeport when his remains
were removed from under the chancel of the Mill Plain church. His daughters Lucy &
Henrietta are also buried near their parents.

SHERMAN

Another gentleman distinguished for his fine mental qualities was Judge Roger
Minot Sherman, whose honored name also calls for a place in these reminiscences.
Judge Sherman, the son of the Rev. Josiah Sherman, was born at Woburn, Mass., May
22. 1773. He was a brother of the Hon. Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. He was a graduate of Yale College. He studied law under
the Hon. Oliver Ellsworth, & the Hon. Simon Baldwin. He became a tutor in Yale Col-
lege in 1795. In 1796 he was admitted to the bar in New Haven, & commenced the prac-
tice of law at Norwalk. On the 13. of Dec. 1796 he married Miss Elizabeth Gould, a
daughter of Dr. William Gould of New Haven, & sister of the late Judge Gould of Litch-
field. In 1807 he settled in Fairfield. As a lawyer he stood among the first in mental
strength & legal power. He became a member of the Upper House of the Legislature in
;8i4, but mainly confined himself to his profession. In 1839 he was chosen Judge of the

458 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Superior Court, & Associate Judge of the Supreme Court, which offices he filled with
great honor to himself & to his State, until May 1842 when from his declining health he
was led to seek the repose of private life. His clear vigorous mind retained its elasticity
until the last. After a brief illness he died on Dec. 30. 1844 aged seventy-one years &
seven months.

Judge Sherman had two sons William Gould & James ^linot born Oct. 18. 1799,
and both died young.

—Hall's Hist. Nonvalk, p. 239.

Judge Sherman willed his fine residence with no less than sixty closets at Fairlk-ld
to be used as a parsonage for the minister of Christ's Church (Congregational).

STLLIMAN

Silliman — Mr. Ebenezer Silliman & ^Vliss Abigail Selleck, daughter of Jonathan Sel-
leck Esqr., were married Oct 8th 1728.
Their children were :

Gold Selleck born May 7. 1732.
Ebenezer born June 21, 1734.
Amelia born Oct. 30. 1736.

Hezekiah born March 11. 1738-9. •

Jonathan born Aug 31. 1742.
Abigail born Oct. 28. 1745.
Deodate born Dec. 13. 1749.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman resided at Holland Heights, & he inherited a large estate
from his father Robert Silliman. His long & useful life made him 'greatly honored &
respected throughout the entire colony. He died on the 11. of October 1775 in the 68th
year of his age. A handsome tomb-stone now marks the place of his burial in the Burial
Hill Cemetery at Fairfield.

Mrs. Abigail Silliman died March 16. 1772 aged 65 years. Her grave by the side of
her husband's, is marked by a fine stone to her memory.

SMEDLEY

Baptist Smedley was in Concord 1639, & made freeman 1644. ?Iis children were
Samuel b. 1646, Mary & James. He d. Aug. 1675, aged 68 years. His d. Mary m. Dec 10.
1667, Isaac Shepherd. Son Samuel was killed by Indians 2. Aug. at Quaboag. John Smed-
ley I of Concord probably brother of the above was a freeman in i6-<4. His children were
John & probably others.

John Smedley 2, son of John i of Concord was a freeman 1667. He m. Sarah d. of
Thomas Wheeler in 1669.

Samuel of Fairfield 1690 may have been s. of the ist ]ohn—Siwagc's Gen. Die.

Col. James Smedley of Fairfield m. Jane Sturges Oct 20. I73i- Their children were
James b. 25. June 1732, & d. 6 July 1736, John b. 11 Nov I734 & d. 10 June 1786— Abigail
b. 28 May 1737; James 4 July I739 & d. 25 July 1755— Mrs. Jane Smedley d. 21 Sept. 1747-
Col. James Smedley again m. Mary the widow of Ebenezer Dimon & d. of Col. John Burr
4 Jan. 1748. Their children were Samuel b. 5 March 175.1- Col. James Smedley d. 4 Nov.
1771 aged 67 years. He was a brave & prominent military oflker for many years. Col.

GENEALOGICAL 459

James Smedley, Mrs. Jane Smedley & Mrs. Mary Sniedley with his son James rest in tlie
Fairfield Burial Hill Cemetery.

Capt. Samuel Smedley s. of Col. James Smedley & Esther Rowland, d. of David
Rowland Esqr were m. 9 April 1771.

— Fairfield Record, Births & Marriages.

Their children were Esther bapt. 5 Nov. 1771 & Elizabeth bapt. 10 Aug. 1774. Fair-
field Parish Record. Captain Smedley was an active & brave naval officer during the
War of the Revolution,

TENNANT

The Rev. William Mackey Tennant succeeded the Rev. Seth Pomeroy at Greenfield,
& was ordained minister of that parish June 17. 1772. He was a son of Rev. Charles
Tennant of White Clay Creek, Delaware, who was a brother of the more famous preachers,

Revs. William & Gilbert Tennant. He m. d. of Rev. Dr. John Rogers of New

York City. Mr. Tennant was a patriotic, helpful & .sympathetic pastor to his parishioners
& to the soldiers during the Revolution. He left Greenfield for the parish of Abinglon, Pa.,
where he died in 1810.

POMEROY

The Rev. Seth Pomeroy of Northampton, Mass. was called to succeed the Rev. John
Goodsel of Greenfield. He was b. Dec. 14, 1732; graduated at Yale College 175.3. "& re-
mained one year after he graduated in N. H. as a Berkeley scholar, a favor granted on
account of his superior scholarship. He became a tutor of Yale in 1756 & 57." He m.

d. of Governor Jonathan Laws. They had one son Jonathan Laws Pomeroy, who

settled at Worthington, Mass. The Rev. Seth Pomeroy d. in 1770 at the age of zi^ & was
buried in the cemetery of Greenfield Hill.

REID

Mrs. Samuel Reid's name has already been mentioned in the Jennings' Gen. Rec. of
Vol. 1st, but here it deserves further notice. Mrs. Reid was early distinguished for beauty
& talent, & when her husband's glory made her house the centre of much literary &
patriotic attention, her clear intellect, & domestic virtues shed a charm & a grace worthy
alike of her enviable position & that of her visitors, among whom were some of the most
distinguished persons of that day including Gov. Clinton, Gov. Tomkins, Daniel Webster,
Henry Clay, Dr. Sam. Mitchel, Judge Johnson of the Supreme Court, with the Emmetts,
MacNevins & Dr. Francis. In her devotion to her children & in her patriotism Mrs.
Reid was alike worthy of her husband & her father.

In 181 8 with the assistance of some young ladies she made the first flag of the
Union, adopted by the Congress of the United States in that year, & which was the design
of Capt. Reid.

On the admission of Indiana into the Union in 1816 the late Hon. P. H. Wendover
of New York suggested to Congress the expediency of altering the flag. Capt. Reid
undertook it, & on the 4. of April 1818 a bill was passed, to establish this as the flag of
the United States. The following letter chronicles the date of its hoisting, and makes
honorable mention of the deceased lady :

460 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

"Washington, Dec. 13. 1818.
" Dear Sir:

" I have just time to inform you that the new flag of Congress Hall arrived here per
mail Tuesday, & was hoisted to replace the old one at two o'clock, & has given much
satisfaction to all that have seen it, as far as I have heard.

" I am pleased with its form, & have no doubt it will satisfy the public mind. ]\Ir.
Clay, who was then the speaker, says it is wrong that there should be no charge in your
bill for making the flag. If pay for that will be accepted on being informed I will pro-
cure it.

" Do not understand me as intending to wound the feelings of Mrs. Rcid, nor others
who may have given aid in the business, & please present my thanks to her & them, &
accept the same for yourself.

" In haste yours, with esteem,

" P. H. Wendover."

l\Irs. Rcid's name & those of the young ladies who assisted her were worked in one
corner of this flag.

RIPLEY

The family of Ripley came to America from Hingham, England, & settled in Iling-
ham, Mass., as early as 1642.

The Rev. Dr. Hezekiah Ripley was b. at Windham, Conn. 3. Feb 1743. He was a
descendant of Lieut. Governor Brandford whose daughter married a Ripley, the ancestor
of Dr. Ripley. He graduated at Yale College in 1763. He studied Divinity & became
pastor of the Congregational Church at Green's Farms, Feb. 11. 1767. During the Revo-
lution he was a Chaplain in the Continental Army at Green's Farms, which so largely
contributed men for the struggle for independence. In 1790 he was chosen a member of
the Corporation of Yale College. He became a devoted friend of Dr. Dwight's, & both
of these friends died the same year. In 1803 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was con-
ferred upon him by the College of Nassau Hall. He was a man of great honesty & purity
& strength of character. He was benevolent, forgiving & full of charity for the faults
of others. He was an ardent supporter of the cause of the Revolution, & in consequence
his house at Greens Farms with its furniture, & a part of his library were burned by the
British in 1779.

The Rev. Dr. Ripley was pastor of the Church at Greens Farms for over fifty-four
years. He resigned his office as pastor in 1821, the infirmities of age having now prevented
him from further duties. In August of 1831 his beloved & devoted wife died, with whom
he had lived over sixty-six years. He soon followed her, having died 29. Nov. 1831, in
the 89th year of his age.

Dr. Ripley m. Jan. 9. 1765 Dorothy Brintnall of New Haven. Their children were:
Alathea b. Nov. 11, 1766, m. Seth Bartlett of Lebanon, Goshen, Conn.. & d. Jan. 13, 1859;
William Brintnall b. Aug. 3. 1768; graduated at Yale College in 1786, & became minister
of the parish of Goshen in Lebanon, Conn., was chosen a fellow of Yale College in 1S17;
& d. July 22, 1822; Hezekiah Augustus b. May 2T, 1770, d. 30 April 1849; David Bradford
b. 9. March 1775, d. Oct. 7, 1776; David b. 20 March 1780, d. Oct. 1863.

The record of the Rev. Dr. Ripley's appointment as a chaplain in the Continental
.\rmy cannot be found; but it was the custom in the Fairfield parishes for the ministers
<if the churches to .serve as chaplains to the companies preparing for service in the army.
It has been related that the Rev. Mr. Ross of the Stratfield Congregational Church, made
it liis duty to call the train-bands of his parish, who might be summoned at any moment

GENEALOGICAL 461

to active service, into his parsonage grounds, & exhort & pray with them, commending
those who left home to join the main army to the care of their Heavenly Father; &
sending them forth with his blessing.

STURGES

In Vol. I. of The Hist, of Fairfield p. 413 the author misguided by a well-inten-
tioned friend, stated that Judge Jonathan Sturges of Fairfield was one of the signers of
the Declaration of Independence. This was a grave mistake. Judge Jonathan Sturges was
a lawyer Ly profession & one of the leading men of Fairfield in his day, & one of the
most patriotic citizens of the town. He was a delegate from Fairfield with the Hon.
Thaddeus Burr to the Connecticut State Convention, which ratified the Constitution of
the United States, at Hartford on the first Thursday of January, 1788. He was also made
Judge of the Supreme Court of Connecticut, besides occupying many offices of trust &
importance. He married Oct. 26. 1760, Deborah the youngest daughter of Lothrop Lewis
& Sarah widow of Ebenezer Wakeman. Their children were: Sarah bapt. March 15, 1761,
Lewis Burr March 20, 1763; Anna, April 14. 1765; Jonathan Sept. 13. 1767; Barnabas,
Sept. 10. 1769; Deborah Sept. 22. 1771; Josiah, Sept. 19. 1773; Oliver, Oct. 29. 1775; Oliver
Dec. 14. 1777; Elizabeth, Feb. 13. 1780; Lucretia Nov. 11. 1781 ; Priscilla, 27. July 1783.
Fairfield Parish Records. Barnabas Sturges was the father of the late Jonathan Sturges
of Mill Plain.

Judge Jonathan Sturges was b. Aug. 23. 1740 & d. Oct 4. 1819. Upon his handsome
tombstone in Burial Hill Cemetery is engraved the following : " He sustained with high
reputation a number of most important offices — & was an efficient member of Congress
under the Confederation, which vindicated the right & obtained the Independence of the
United States." His widow Mrs. Deborah Sturges d. April i. 1832 in the 90th year of
her age, & lies buried by the side of her husband.

SHEFFIELD

New Haven, Feb. 9. 1880.
Dear Madame,

The day after I wrote you & sent you a copy of Barnard's July number of the Educa-
tion work, I sat down & tried to catch the " threads of memory " about my early days
in Mill-river & Fairfield, as you have requested me to do. But alas, I left home a mere
boy of fourteen, & returned only at less than nineteen, I can't think of any event worth
mentioning: yet I have a lively recollection of the excitement when the war of 1812 was
declared ; & of my dear mother's alarm & anxiety, having been one of the sufferers of
alarm & privation in the War of the Revolution; & I well remember how willingly she
" stitched & stitched " on my regimentals, & how pleased she looked upon her " Soldier
boy " with the " old gun," marching away every afternoon for drill f And with these
revivals of memory, I took my pen & scribbled off the inclosed ; & now intended only for
your father.* who I think was not old enough to join, or may not have been a resident.
But he may have & probably did become a member afterwards; if so, it may serve to
revive his pleasant recollections of the Sea Fcncibles, & of its members, probably all gone
home; & he & I must soon follow.

Kind regards to your father. I am dear Madame,

Very respectfully & truly yours,

Joseph E. Sheffield.

• Jonathan Godfrey joined the coast guard of Green's Farms when twelve years of age.— Author.

462 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

New Haven, Feb. 10. 1880.
Mrs. E. H. Schenck,
Dear Madame,

To-day I have received yours of yesterday, & am glad to learn that you intend to
go on with your history & publish it in book form. I don't remember what I wrote you
to encourage you in your work, but I do remember what was passing in my mind, viz :
that it was the bounden duty of somebody to rescue from the musty archives of the dif-
ferent towns of our State such important or interesting facts of their early settlement
& history as should be preserved to the present & future generations, before they should
be destroyed by age, accident or design; & in these thoughts I had in mind the great
value & importance of the indefatigable labors of the Rev. Doctor Beardsley in searching
out & publishing the " History of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut,"a work that should
be in the hands of every church family in the Diocese, & be carefully read by its members.
But for such a publication the " early history " would gradually be lost ; & but for some
industrious & capable person, like yourself, the early history of " old Fairfield " would
pass into oblivion — & you have my authority to add my name to the application to pub-
lish in taking a dozen copies of our history without delay. . . . Hoping you will
persevere in your work & be successful in receiving the approbation & reward of your
townsmen & the public generally,

I am dear Madame, yours very truly,

Joseph Earl Shefffield.

Recollections January 27. 1880, of an original mcmlicr. now nearly 87 years old, of
the Mill River Sea Fencibles.

I was at home on a visit when the war was declared June i8th 181 2. The elderly
people, especially the women, with a full recollection of the scenes of plunder and burn-
ing & distress of the War of the Revolution were greatly agitated. In a few days there
was an informal meeting of some of the older men at Pikes Tavern, at which Captain
Eleazer Bulkley was chairman. Short & pithy speeches were made; & like most vain-
glorious young fellows of 19, I must needs say something; what I did say I don't remem-
ber; but I well remember, for J was very proud of it, to hear the venerable chairman's
remarks : " That's the sort of talk I like to hear, for in this war young men meant, arms,
forward ! " It was agreed to form a company for defence without delay. The meeting
was adjourned to next day under the willow tree in front of the tavern at 4 o'clock. A
goodly number assembled, perhaps twenty to thirty. Jeremiah Sturgcs addressed the
crowd in a few patriotic words ; & he was immediately elected Captain ; Joab Squire, a
man of few words, but of most heroic courage, was elected first lieutenant; Mr. Jonathan
Bulkley second lieutenant, &c. ; a flag was procured from one of the sloops ; & a drummer
& fifer from Greenfield or Mill plain. Some volunteers came in from Mill-plain, Hull's
Farms, & Green's Farms ; &, as the coasting vessels came home " to be laid up," captains,
mates & sailors enrolled themselves; & the company numbered 50 or 60, perhaps more.
An agent was sent to New York to buy muskets, flints, powder &c. & materials for our
uniforms, which were white trousers, an Indian hunting shirt or coat of blue nankeen or
blue flannel, trimmed with a wide white fringe around the bottom, & cuffs, & I think
a white star on the breast; a cap with white cockade & white feather tipped with red.
As soon as the goods arrived, every lady in the village went promptly to work to orna-
ment her soldier husband or brother. We met cuery day at 4 o'clock, under the willow
tree for drill, which was severe; & in a very short time Captain Sturges was very proud
of his company.

GENEALOGICAL 463

At that time there were ahout a dozen stores in the place — let me see — Lothrop

Sturges, Jeremiah Sturges, Nehemiah Perry, Joseph Wakeman, Robbins, Walter

Thorp, Eleazer Bulkley, Walter Perry, William Bulkley, Joseph Perry, & I think one
up at Burr's Mills — all those, except that of Mr. Joseph Perry, were situated on the
wharf fronting the harbor, & were an inviting prey for the expected British marauding
boats to plunder & burn : hence such a prompt gathering for defence. A redoubt was
thrown up at the "Lower-wharf," & an old ninety-nine pounder was planted there & later
in the summer regular " night guard " was kept up.

There was a general training up on the Fairfield Green ; & well do I remember the
proud & martial appearance of our Captain, when he led his well disciplined, well drilled
& handsomely uniformed "Sea Fencibles "' into the parade, & took position as directed
by the officer of the day. We were "the observed of all observers," our unique uniform
at once attracted universal attention, comment & praise.

And when, after a hard day's marching & counter-marching the troops were formed
into a hollow square & dismissed, & Col. Burr made the remark: "That company, 'Mill
River Sea Fencibles,' is entitled to very high praise; they maneuver & march like
machinery ; & if the time should come, they will fight like Spartans." This compliment
fully repaid us for all our constant & severe drilling, & the fatigue of that fearfully hot
day. At night there was a great ball at " Knap's Tavern," at which a good many " Sea
Fencibles," in their handsome uniform attended, & monopolized their full share of the
pretty, patriotic girls as partners.

As I was soon to leave, I did not secure a new musket, & was permitted to drill
with my " old grandfather's blunderbuss," which had done good service in the war of
the Revolution. It was a heavy six footer, & that nearly broke me down. I have it now.
Shortly after this "general training," I was called to New York, & soon afterwards
to Carolina, where I again " did duty " as a volunteer in an artillery company for de-
fence ; & the future history of that famous band of Mill River Sea Fencibles is quite
unknown to me ; only I remember their services were volunteered to Governor Griswold
for defence as far eastward as Bridgeport, & as far west as Norwalk. But when I call
to mind, as I have often done, & do now, the character of that company, almost all of
mature age, all citizens of the place, & almost all men of family & property — captains,
mates & sailors, soon to become mates & captains — men of stalwart, hardy forms, with
character marked in their manly features, I have felt, nay, I am sure, that had occasion
made it necessary, they would have earned the compliment paid them by Col. Burr ; &
in defence of their property, the homes & firesides of their families, they would have
" fought like Spartans." Yes, like very devils !

And, alas, when I call to mind the health & strength & manly appearance of that
little band of patriotic soldiers, whose very countenances are remembered — when I recall
the many meetings with them, & the resolves we then made in case of invasion — when
I search my memory, time & time again, & inquire if a single original member of them is
yet alive — & above all, when I ask myself why is it, in the mysterious ways of Divine
goodness, that so many young & useful & promising ones are snatched away in the prime
of life & I am spared, I can arrive at no other conclusion, than that time is still given
me to be better prepared to meet my blessed Saviour; & that my daily duty is to strive
& pray to be more & more willing, & better prepared to answer the dread summons.

Joseph E.\rl Sheffield.

Joseph Sheffield was the father of nine children, four of whom are still living (1904),
viz: Mrs. J. E. S. Porter of Hartford, Conn.; Mrs. William Walter Phelps of Engle-

464 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

wood, N. J. ; Mrs. W. J. Boardman of Washington, D. C. & George St. John Sheffield of
Attleborough, Mass. Another daughter was the late Mrs. Harriet Van Buren.

THE EXPERIENCE OF A YALE STUDENT IN 1781.

After 17 months' preparatory discipline (4 books of Virgil, 4 of Tully's Orations in
Latin, & four evangelists in Greek, being then required) I entered Yale with about 100
men — being the largest class that at that time ever entered — in the year 1781, under the
administration of Ezra Stiles, President, S. T. D., an aged man, who, when abroad wore
a large white wig, & used an eye-glass, being near sighted — him to honor — (raining or
not) we must never approach nearer than ten rods without pulling ofif our hats ; & five
rods for a tutor. The first year after entrance they are called Freshmen — Second year
Sophomores — Third year Juniors — Fourth year Seniors. After four years they take the
first degree A. B. or Bachelor of Arts — some time after they take the second degree A. M.
or Master of Arts. If a scholar be absent from prayers, which commence at the ringing
of the bell morning & evening at six o'clock non audivi campanam, habui amicum, or
habui special negotium * — which is received as an excuse if it does not occur too often —
if it does he is fined. They recite three lessons a day at morning, noon & evening.

At meal time in the morning every one at the ringing of the bell runs with a tea dish
— at noon with a knife & fork & at supper with a spoon. Their food is often indifferent but
cheap (then) only $1.25 per week in the hall.

Their hours of relaxation are from 6 till 9, from 12 till 2, & from 5 to 6.

There are three weeks' vacation in January — 3 weeks in May — & six beginning in
September. Each room in College is furnished with two studios (or closets) where the
students keep their books & pursue their studies.

My next adventure was in a school at North Fairfield (Weston) for 45 shillings per
month for three months. . . . 1783 — I began Staples free school for 166 dollars per
year, to board myself — kept only five months, it being removed to Weston by an act of
the Assembly, the donor being Staples of Weston, it was then called Weston Academy.

— Journal of William Wheeler.

• I did not hear the bell ; I had a friend ; or I had special business.

(

THE FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD

CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD

RECORD OF THOSE THAT RENEWED THE COVENANT

Aug.

26,

1694

...Theophilus Hull and Mary, his
wife.
Elizabeth Comstock.

Sept.

1694

...Sarah Jennings.

Sept.

16,

1694

...John Wheeler.

Sept.

23.

1694

...Samuel Lockwood and Abigail,
his wife.

Oct.

1694

...Nathaniel Seymour and Ruth
Belden, both of Norwalk.

Nov.

II.

1694

...Isaac Wheeler.

Dec.

1694

...Samuel French.

Jan.

1695

...John Whitlock.

Feb.

17,

1695

...Samuel Smith.
Susanna Price.

Feb.

24,

169s

...John Barlow.

Elizabeth Rowland.

March

10,

1695

...Phebe Bennit.

March

169s

...John Hide.

March

24.

1695

...William Hill.

March

24,

1695

...Sarah Higgins and Mary
Patchin.

March

31,

1695

...Elizabeth Burr.
Elizabeth Hendrick.
Sarah Bennet.

May

19,

1695

...Samuel Hubbell, Jr., and Eliza-
beth, his wife.

June

1695

...William Coley.

June

23.

1695

...John Nash, of Norwalk.

July

25-

■695

...Abigail Shopley.
Mary Lyon.

March

29,

1696

...Samuel Sherwood.

April

1696

...Mary Cirimes.

May

1696

...Abigail, wife of Simon Couch.
Edra, wife of Samuel Couch.

May

24.

1696

...Sarah, wife of Josepli Sturges.

June

14.

1696

. . . Rebecca Guire.

Aug.

30,

1696

...Hannah Rumsy.

Sept.

1696

...Mary, wife of John Bennet.
Martha Finch.

Sept.

13,

1696

...Elizabeth Jessup.

March

1697.

...Phebe Wilson.

Sept.

1697.

...Mary, wife of Nathan Jennings.

March

27.

1697-

...John Downs.

July

17.

1697.

...Anne Godfrey.

Jan. 16, 1698.... Abigail Bradley.

May 19, 1699 Joseph Wakeman.

Mr. John Read.

Dec. 6, 1699 Sarah, wife of Francis Bradley

Dec. 17, 1699 Anna Malory.

June 30, 1700 Gideon Allen.

Aug. 4, 1700 Peter Coley.

Jan. 5, 1700 Mary, wife of Theodore More-
house.

May 25, 1701 John Hide.

Sept. 21, 1701 John Bradley.

Jan. 4, 1702 Gershom Bulkley.

Aug. 30, 1702 Rebecca, wife of Daniel Adams.

April 24, 1703 Esther Williams.

May 16, 1703 John Middlebrook.

June 6, 1703 Mrs. Esther Sloss.

March 7, 1703 John Osborn.

May 21, 1704 John Morehouse.

May 27, 1705 Ezekiel Sandford.

Aug. 26, 1705 Thomas Sandford.

Feb. 3, 1706 Joseph Bradley.

Jan. 26, 1707 Joseph Wheeler.

March 16, 1707 Joseph Whelpley.

June I, 1707 Mr. Daniel Burr, Jr.

Feb. 8, 1708 Daniel Osborne.

Feb. 27, 1709 Anna, wife of Robert Rumsey.

May 22, 1709 Marjory, wife of Samuel Thorp.

March 12, 1710 Joseph Jennings.

Aug. 13, 1710 Mary, wife of Christopher Stur-
ges.

Feb. 11,1711 Joseph Perry.

Nov. 4, 171 1 Sarah, wife of Nathan Lewis.

March 2, 1712 Joseph Burr.

April 20, i-ij Elizabeth Whitehead.

May II, 1712 Daniel Knap.

May 25, 1712 John Winton.

June 8, 1712 Samuel Lyon.

Sarah Wood.

Aug. 24, 1712 Candy, wife of Moses Knap.

Oct. 26, 1712 Robt. Turney and p:iizabeth, hi^

wife.

Nov. 23, 1712 Luke Guire.

Sept. 27, 1713 Jonathan Siiuire, Jr., and his

wife.

466

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Feb. 7, I7I314-

July II, 1714.,

July 10, 1715..

Jan. 8, 1715-16..

Sept. 16, 1716.

Sept. 16, 1716.,

Oct. 28, 1716.,

May 12, 1717.,

June 2, 1717..

Aug. 4, 1717..

Nov. 17, 1717.,

Dec. 15, 1717..

Feb. 9, 1717-8..

March 23, 1717-:

April 20, 1718..

April 27, 171S.,

May 25, 1718.,

Aug. 10, 1718.,

Dec. 7, 1718..

Jan. 25, 1718-19. .

y\pril 5, 1719..

May 3, 1719..

June 7, 1719- •

Nov. 22, 1719..

Nov. 22, 1719-.

Nov. 29, 1719..

Dec. 13, 1719.

Dec. 20, 1719. .

Feb. 14, 1719-20.

May IS, 1720..

May 22, 1720. .

June 25, 1720..

July 10, 1720. .

Feb. 26, 1720-21.

r)ct. 29, 1721. .

Dec. 17, 1721..

Dec. 31, 1721.

Oct. 7, 1722.

Nov. 18, 1722.

May 26, 1723.

.Ruth, wife of Benjamin Banks.

.John Hoile.

.Nath'l Wilson, Jr.

.Joseph Squire and Abigail, his
wife.

.Sarah, wife of Abraham Addams,
Jr.

.Elisabeth, wife of V\'illiam Lyon.

.Mr. John Denny and Mrs. Mary
Denny, his wife.

.John Jennings.

.Abigail, wife of William Hill. Jr.

.Elisabeth, wife of Benjamin Gil-
bert.

. Ebenezer Lyon.

.Samuel Whitlock.

.Nathaniel Hull and Elisabeth,
his wife.

.Annah, wife of John Sylleman.

.James Beers and Hannah, his
wife.

.Samuel Gold (Mr.).

-Daniel Bulkley and Hannah, his
wife.

.Elisabeth, wife of Solomon
Foot.

.Sarah, wife of Jon. Squire.

. David Sturgis and Mary, his
wife.

.Mary, wife of Lemuel Price.

.Damaris, wife of Thomas Whit-
lock.

.Joseph Osborn and Hannah, his
wife.

.Samuel, son of Sergt. Samuel
Lyon.

.Daniel Lyon and Sarah, his wife.

.Thomas Murwin, Jr., and Ruth,
his wife.

.'Mr. David Thompson and Abi-
gail, his wife.

.Michael Jennings.

.Sergt. Andrew Burr.

.Sarah, wife of Sergt. Andrew
Burr.

.Francis Bradley and Mary, his
wife.

.Mrs. Mary Hill, wife of Mr.
Thomas Hill.

.Dorothy, wife of David Williams.

.Theophilus Hull and Sarah, his
wife.

.Israel Rowland and his wife.

.Anne, wife of Thomas Hand-
ford.

.Jeremiah Sturgis and Anne, his
wife.

.Moses Dimon. Jr., and Hannah,
his wife.

.John Gilbert and Temimah, his
wife.

.Mr. John Wheeler, Jr.

June
June

2, 1723.
23. I-23-

July 14, 1723.
Aug. 25, 1723.

Sept. 15, 1723.

Dec. 29, 1723.

Jan. 5, 1723-4-

Oct. I, 1724.

Feb. 21, 1724-;.
March 14, 1724-5

March 14, 1724-5

June 13, 1725..

1725- •

1725- •
Oct. 24, 1725..
Nov., 1725- ■

Nov., 1-25..

Dec. 5, 1725..

Jan. 2, 1725-6..

March 6, 172,-6.

May
Aug.

1726.
1726..

Oct. 16, 1726..
Nov. 6, 1726..
Jan. 22, 1726-7..
Jan. 22, 1726-7..

Sept.

3. 1727-

Nov. 26, 1727..
Dec. 10, 1727..
Jan. 21, 1727-8..

Feb. 18, 1727-8..

March 10, 1727-S

July 21, 1728..

July
Tan.

28, 1728.
26, 1728-9.

Aug. 17, 1729..

Dec. 7, 1729. .

Feb. 1, 1729-30..

Nov. jj:, 1730- •

.Rebeccah Williams.

. Elisabeth, wife of Mr. John

Wheeler.
.Sarah, wife of Josiah Gilbert.
.Mary, daughter of Mr. Joseph

Sturgis.
.Mrs. Elisabeth Burr, wife of

Sergt. S. Samuel Burr.
.Elizabeth Jennings and Deborah,

wife of Thos. Staples, Jr.
.Peter Burr, Jr., and Abigail, his

wife.
. Eleazer Smith and Eunice, his

wife.
.James Blair.
.The wife of James Blair, by

name Hannah.
.Eleazar Sturgis and .Abigail, his

wife.
.Samuel Bradly and Sarah, his

wife.
.Samuel Osborn, Jr., and .Abi-
gail, his wife.
.Esther, wife of Joseph Frost.
.Mr. Samuel Osborn, Sr.
.Solomon Sturgis and his wife.
.Sarah, wife of James Redfield.
.Benjamin Sherwood, Jr., and

Eleanor, his wife.
.Hannah, wife of Mr. Samuel

Osborn.
.Joseph Sandford and Lemuel

Sandford.
..\bigail, wife of David Ogden.
.Hannah, wife of Jonathan

Beebee.
.Peter Bulkley Cooper.
.Samuel Murwin.

.Abigail, wife of Samuel Murwin.
.William Hill, Jr., and Hannah,

his wife.
.Jeremiah Jennings and Elisa-
beth, his wife.
.Martha Patchin.
.Mary, wife of John Bedient.
.Stephen Wakeman and Rebecca,

his wife.
.Jahcz Wakeman and Ruth, his

wife.
.Ephraim Burr and -Abigail, his

wife.
.Elizabeth, wife of Sergeant John

Dimon.
.Isaac Jennings. Jr.
.Ebenezer Bartram and Elisa-
beth, his wife.
.Mr. Isaac Jennings and Mrs.

-Abigail Jennings, his wife.
.Mary, wife of James Rowland.
.Joshua Jeacock.
.Mr. Ebenezer Dimon and Mrs.

Mary Dimon, his wife.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 467

March 21, 1730-1.. Mr. Peter Penfield and Mrs.

Mary Penfield, his wife.

July 4. 1731 Mr. Ephraim Sandford.

Sept. 26, 1731 David Hartram and Mehitabel,

his wife.

Nov. 28, 1731 Joseph Sherwood and Sarah, his

wife.

June II, 1732 Deborah, wife of Thomas Sta-
ples, Jr. ^

July 30, 1732 Mr. James Smedley.

THOSE WHO RECOGNIZED THEIR BAPTISMAL
ENGAGEMENTS

July 1,1733 Joseph Bradly.

Dec. 23, 1733 Nathaniel Burr, Jr.

Nov. 16,1735 David Bulkley.

May 9, 1736 Jonathan Osborn.

Oct. 31,1736 Abigail Barlow.

May I, 1737 Esther, wife of John Hill.

May 22, 1737 Samuel Rowland, Jr., and Abi-
gail, his wife.

June 5.1737 Deborah Lyon.

July 3, 1737 Jonathan Middlebrook.

Jan. I, 1737-8 James Burr.

March 12, 1737-8.. Gershom Whitehead.

March 11, 173S-9. .Abijah Morehouse and Mary, his

wife.
March 18, 1738-9. .David Hubbel and Martha, his

wife.

April 22,1739 Eleazer Osborn.

April 29, 1739 Elizabeth Bostwick.

Michael Middlebrook and Abiah,

his wife.

Nov. 30, 1740 Abigail Craine.

Jan. 4, 1740-1 Daniel Andrews and his wife.

Sept. 13, 1741 Nathaniel Perry and Mary, his

wife.

Sept. 20, 1741 Peter Bulkley the 3rd.

Oct. 4, 1741 Samuel Hubbel.

Oct. 25, 1741 Daniel Perry and Mary, his wife.

Feb, 21, 1741-2 Samuel Morehouse and Ruth,

his wife.
March 7, 1741-2. . .Robert Wilson and Catherine,

his wife.
May 16, 1742 Samuel Wakeman and Ruth, his

wife.
May 16, 1742 Stephen Jennings and Hannah,

his wife.

May 16, 1742 Catee Gould.

March 27, 1743 Sarah, wife of James Redfield.

Feb. 5, 1743-4 Micah Perry,

July 8, 1744. .. .Samuel Beers and Thankful, his

wife.
Oct. 28, 1744 James Morehouse and ITnnnah,

his wife.

Nov. II, 1744 Jabez Barlow.

Aug. 18, 1745 Joseph Squire and Mehitabel,

his wife.

Aug. 18, 174s John Murwin.

Oct. 13, 1745 Dorothy, wife of John Murwin.

Sept. 28, 1746 Abigail, wife of Samuel Squire,

Jr.
March 29, 1729 John Jennings, Jr., and Sarah,

his wife.

May
Oct.

17, 1747 Hannah, wife of Nathaniel Pi'

25, 1747 Nathaniel Wilson, Jr., and Mary,

his wife.
Jan. 10, 1747. .. .Ann Gold.
March 6, 1747-8. .Jabez Frost and Deborah, his

wife.
March 13, 1747-8. .Joseph Frost and Esther, his

wife.
Oct. 23, 1748 Stephen Turney and Sarah, his

wife.
Apr. 30, 1749 Ebenezer Wakeman and Ann,

his wife.

Oct. 15, 1749 Benjamin Jennings.

Dec. 10, 1749 John Wilson and Eunice, his

wife.
Dec. 24, 1749 Ebenezer Middlebrook and Sa-
rah, his wife.
July I, 1750. . . .Zephaniah Clark and Olive, his

wife.
Oct. 14, 1750 Jabez Bulkley and Elisabeth, his

wife.
Dec. 30, 1750 David Ogden, Jr., and Jane, his

wife.
Dec. I, 1751 Ebenezer Knap and Elisabeth,

his wife.
June 28, 1752 Hezekiah Sturgis and Abigail,

his wife.

Oct. 15, 1752 Seth Osborn and Sarah, his wife.

Nov. 5, 1752 John Wheeler and Ann, his wife.

Nov. 26, 1752 David Burr and Eunice, his wife.

March 11, 1753 Samuel Wilson and Eunice, his

wife.
July 22, 1753.... John Parrit and Sarah, his wife.
Sept. 30, 1753. .. .Martha, widow of David Hubbel,
Nov. II, 1753. ... Daniel Jennings, Jr., and Eu-
nice, his wife.
Dec. 30, 1753 Talcott Bulkley and Esther, his

wife.
Feb. 10, 1754 Ebcn. Meeker, Jr., and Eliza, his

wife,

Jan, 13. 1754 Jesse Hunt and Sarah, his wife.

Apr. 7, 1754 Samuel Burr, Jr., and Eunice,

his wife.
Tulv 21, 1754 Nathan Hill and Eunice, his

wife,
July 28. 1754, .. .Gideon Wells and Catherine,

his wife.
Sept. 22, 1754 Jonathan Lewis and Sarah, his

wife.
Oct. 27, 1754 Jabez Thorp and .Ann, his wife.

468

Nov. 10, 1754.

July
July

Aug.
Sept.
Dec.

March

April

Sept.

Oct.
Nov.

March

May

Jan.

April
Sept.
Dec.

Aug.
Aug.
Sept.

Sept.

Nov.

Aug.

Sept.

Jan.

Feb.

6, 1755-
20, 1755-

20, 1755-

20, 1755.

10, I7SS-

14, I7S5-

7. 1755-

28, 1756.
18, 1756.
12, 1756.

10, 1756.

21, 1756.

6, I7S7.

15, 1757-

22, I7S7.

8, 1738.

16, 1758.
3. 1758.

31, 1758.

12. 1759.

12, 1759.
16, 1759.

28, 1760.

9. 1760.

16, 1761.

13. 1761.

17, 1762.

7. 1762.

May 30, 1762.

June 27, 1762.

Nov. 15. 1762.

Dec. s. 1762.

S-'Df. 4, 1763.

Sept. 4, 1763.

HISTORY OF

.Abraham Gold and Elisabeth, his

wife.
. Joseph Bartram.
.Nathaniel Hull and Abigail, his

wife.
.James Hall and Abigail, his wife.
. Daniel Morehouse and Sarah,

his wife.
.Abel Gold and Ellen, his wife.
.Job Bartram.
. Howes Osborn and Mary, his

wife.
. Ichabod Wheeler and Deborah,

his wife.
.David VVakeman and Mary, his

wife.
.James Beers, Jr., and Hannah,

his wife.
.Daniel Burr and Ann, his wife.
.Matthew Jennings and Rebecca,

his wife.
. Hezekiah Piatt and Sarah, his

wife.
. Edmond Hunt and Abigail, his

wife.
.Samuel Silliman and Elizabeth,

his wife.
.Benjamin Osborn and Mary, his

wife.
. Jerusha Sturgis.

.John Redfield and Sarah, his wife.
.James Penfield and Ellen, his

wife.
.Nathan Burr and Ruth, his wife.
. Moses Bulkley.
.Samuel Penfield and Eliza, his

wife.
.Ebenezer Bartram and Mary, his

wife.
.Jonathan Sturgis and Deborah,

his wife.
.Ebenezer Perry and Martha, his

wife.
. Moses Jennings and Abigail,

his wife.
. Squier Wakeman, Damaris, his

wife, having before done the

same at Greenfield.
. Rebecca, the wife of Samuel

Mann, he having before done

the same at North Stratford.
.Jonathan Ogden and Sarah, his

wife.
.Jonathan Silliman and Ann, his

wife.
.Peter Jennings and Eunice, his

wife.
.Hezekiah Nichols and Ann, his

wife.
.David Dimon and Ann. his wife.
.Peter Penfield, Jr., and Hannah,

his wife.

FAIRFIELD

Feb.

1764.

June

17.

1764.

June

17.

1764.

April

28,

1765..

June

1765.

Aug.

25.

1763.

June

1766.

July

20,

1766.

Aug.

17.

1766.

Sept.

1766.

Jan.

25.

1767.

Sept.

13.

1767.

March

1768.

Apr.

30,

1769.

Aug.

20,

1769.

Oct.

29,

1769.

Tune

1770.

Sept.

16,

1770.

Oct.

14,

1770.

Feb.

1771.

Apr.

26,

1771.

Oct. 27, 1 771.

Nov. 3, 1771.

Feb. 16, 1772,

April 19, 1772.

Sept. 27, 1772,

Nov. I. 1772

Nov.
Dec.

June

July

Aug.

Aug.
Oct.

8. 1772.

18, 1774-

4. I77S-

31. I77S-

27. 1775.

27, 1775.

I. I775.

..Joseph Sturgis and Sarah, his

wife.
..Nehemiah Burr and Sarah, his

wife.
. .Eleazer Osborne, Jr., and Sarah,

his wife.
..Reuben Osborne and Ellen, his

wife.
..Jonathan Bulkley and Hannah,

his wife.
..John Smedly and Eunice, his

wife.
...William Dimon and Esther, his

wife.
...Grace Hubbel.
...Samuel Beers, Jr., and Sarah,

his wife.
...Paul Nichols and Sarah, his

wife.
...Amelia Burr, widow of Eben-
ezer Burr.
...David Turney and Sarah, his

wife.
...Ebenezer Hubbel and Lydia,

his wife.
...Jonathan Maltby and Elizabeth,

his wife.
...Hezekiah Fitch and Jerusha, his

wife.
.. .Wakeman ■ Burr and Mary, his

wife.
...Peter Perry and Sarah, his wife.
...David Allen and Sarah, his wife.
...Israel Bibbins and Hannah, his

wife.
...Ezra Jennings and Martha, his

wife.
...John Penfield and Eunice, his

wife.
...Daniel Dimon and Lois, his

wife.
...Andrew Bulkley and Abigail, his

wife.
. . .Samuel Sturgis.
. ...\bijah Morehouse and Mary, his

wife.
...Isaac Jennings and Abigail, his

wife.
...David Osborne and Mary, his

wife.
...Sarah, wife of Ezekiel Hull.
...Samuel Smedley and Esther, his

wife.
...Ebenezer Wakeman and Anne,

his wife.
...Joseph Osborn and Mary Os-
born, his wife.
...Anne, the wife of Samuel

Squire, Jr.
...Mary, the wife of .\aron Hubbel.
. . . Gershom Osborn and Grizzcl.

his wife.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD

Oct. 29,177s !Martha O shorn.

Nov. 19, 177s John Wilson, Jr., and Elisabeth,

his wife.
March 17, 1776 Daniel Wilson and Sarah, his

wife.
March 24, 1776 Isaac Morehouse and Sarah, his

wife.
Sept. 22, 1776 Uriah Morehouse and Sarah, his

wife.
Nov. 24, 1776 David Jennings and Mehitabel,

his wife.
Feb. 23, 1777 Ebenezer Squire and Mary, his

wife.
March 9, 1777. . ..Thomas Staples and Hannah, his

wife.
July 20, 1777 Nathan Thorp and Patience, his

wife.
July 27, 1777 Elizabeth, wife of James Jen-
nings.
Nov. 5, 1777 Abigail, wife of Jabez Hubbel,

being sick and ready to die.
Dec. 2, 1777 John Squire, Jr., and Elisabeth,

his wife.
July 12, 1778 Jonathan Darrow and Molly, his

wife.
Aug. 2, 1778 Jeremiah Jennings and Elisa-
beth, his wife.
Jan. 24, 1779 Nehemiah Fowler and Abiah, his

wife.
Jan. 24, 1779 Nathan Beers and Mehitabel, his

wife.
Feb. 15, 1779.... Abel Gold, Jr., and Elisabeth,

his wife.
May 30, 1779 Joseph Bulkley and Grizzel, his

wife.
Aug. IS, 1779 Walter Buddington and Ruth,

his wife.

Sept. 12, 1779 Joseph Squier.

Dec s. 1779 Ebenezer Sturges and Sarah, his

wife.

March 26, 1780 Stephen and Grizzel Osborn.

March 26, 1780 Lothrop and Ellen Lewis.

March 26, 1780 Josiah and Abigail Beardslee.

April 2, 1780 Wright White and Esther, his

wife.
Jan. 20, 1781 Jabez Hubbel and Rhoda, his

wife.

June 10, 1781 John Osborn.

July I, 1781 Reuben Sherwood and Abigail,

his wife.

Dec. 23, 1781 Elizabeth Penfield.

July 14, 1782 David Dickinson and Mary, his

wife.

Sept. 9.1782 Mary Perry.

Oct. 27, 1782 William and Anne Morehouse.

Nov. 3,1782 Chauncey Wheeler and Caro-
lina Matilda, his wife.
Feb. 2, 1783 Dimon Sturges and Sarah, his

wife.
April 13, 1783 Abigail, widow of Judson Stur-
ges.
April 17, 1783 Aaron Tumey.

Aug. 17, 1783 John Perry and Hannah, his

wife.

Oct. 26, 1783 Jabez Perry.

Nov. 3, 1783 Peter Hull and Mary, his wife.

Nov. 14, 1783. .. .David Ogden and Sally, his wife.
Feb. 8, 1784.... William Pike.

Feb. 29, 1784 Joshua Davies and Abigail, his

wife.

May 2, 1784 Nathan Jennings and Mary, his

wife.

May 2, 1784 William Burr and Eunice, his

wife.

June 6, 1784 Nathaniel and Rachel Penfield.

June 27, 1784 Samuel, Jr., and Abigail Burr.

Oct. 24, 1784 Joseph Hayes and Sarah, his

wife.

Nov. 21, 1784 Hannah, the widow of Gideon

Hawley.

Feb. 27, 178s George and Huldah Allen.

March 20, 178s. ... David Redfield and his wife.

May I, 1785 Caleb and Anna Brewster.

May IS. 1785 Eunice, the wife of Abraham

Cooper Woodhull.

May IS, 1785 Benjamin Dickinson and Esther,

his wife.
March 26, 1786 Mary, the wife of Aaron Raw-
lins.

April j6, 1786 Abel Tumey and Deborah, his

wife.

July 18, 1786 Stephen Adams and Ellen, his

wife.

Nov. 26, 1786 Ebenezer Knap and Ellen, his

wife.

Nov. 26, 1786 Amos Wilson and Ellen, his

wife.

Nov. 26, 1786 Eleazar Bulkley and Mary, his

wife.

Nov. 30, 1786 Abraham Morehouse and Ruth,

his wife.

Feb. 1, 1787 John Knap, Jr., and Mary, his

wife.

July 29, 1787 Nathan Whiting and Anna, his

wife.

Nov. 4, 1787 Hezekiah Burr.

Nov. 4, 1787.... John Wilson and Sarah, his
wife.

Nov. II, 1787 James Penfield, Jr.

Dec. 2, 1787.... Mabel, the wife of Paul Shef

field.
May 18, 1788.... Jos. Perry.
July 13. 1788.... Elnathan Smith.

Nov. 30, 1788 William Sturges and Mary, his

wife.

June 7, 1789 Samuel Penfield, Jr.

July 19, 1789.... Edward Sturges and Elisabeth.

his wife.
Aug. 9, 1789.... Asa Turney and Polly, his wife.
Aug. 23, 1789.... Miah Perry and Elisabeth, his

wife.
Dec. 20, 1789.... Anna, the wife of Talcot Gold.

May 16, 1790 Daniel Osborn, Jr.

July 4. «790--.. Abraham Gold.

470

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Aug.

I, 1790

Aug.

I, 1790

Aug.

I, 1790

Oct.

7, 1790

Jan.

2, 1791

March 21, 1791-

March 31, i79i--
March 31, 1791-
Oct. 2, 1791-
Oct. 16, 1791-

Feb.

May

June
Dec.

March
May

May

June

Nov.

Dec.

May

June
July

Nov.
Feb.

5. 1792-
I. 1792.

13. 1792.

17. 1792.
16, 1792.

10, 1793-
12, 1793-

12, 1793-

29. 1794-

16, 1794-

14, 1794-
10. 179s •

17. 1795-

31. 1795-

14. 1795-
5. 1795-

27, 179s ■
7. 1796-

.Abigail Jarvis (widow).
.Barlow and Eunice Sturges.
.William and Esther Squire.
John and Eunice Godfrey.
.Joanna Bennet.
.Gershom Burr and Susanna, his

wife.
.Squire Nichols and Lydia, his

wife.
.Daniel Barlow and Abigail, his

wife.
.Isaac Gold and Ellen, his wife.
.Nathan Adam Hayes.
.Nathaniel Silliman.
.Gold Silliman and Esther, his

wife.
Irene, the wife of George

Squier.
.Samuel Staples and Esther, his

wife.
..Samuel Sherwood and Priscilla,

his wife.
. Barnabas Lothrop Sturges and

Mary, his wife.
.William Hayes and Jane, hiswife.
. Walter Staples and Mary, his

wife.
.John Wheeler.
.Abel Sherwood and Mary, his

wife.
.Abraham Morehouse, Jr., and

-Sarah, his wife.
.Rowland Spalding and Mary, his

wife.
..David Sturges and Thankful, his

wife.
..Walter Perry and Elizabeth

Burr, his wife.
..Jason Gold and Catherine, his

wife.
.Walter Thorp and Ruamah, his

wife.
..Samuel Squire, 3rd, and Lucy

Squire, his wife.
.Ebenezer Burr, Jr.
..Benjamin Wilson and Martha,

his wife.
..Abel Beers and Elizabeth, his

wife.
..Isaac Gold and Mary, his wife.
.Hezekiah Osborn and Nancy,

his wife.

July 24, 1796 Jesse Dimon.

July 24, 1796 Sarah, wife of Lothrop Lewis.

March 19, 1797 Freelove, wife of Silas Nichols.

March 26, 1797 Lewis Burr Sturges.

April 30, 1797 Jessup Wakeman and Esther, his

wife.
June 25, 1797 Sturges Thorp and Nancy, his

wife.

Oct. 29,1797 Ruth Perry.

Feb. 3, 1798 Elijah Bibbins and Lucretia, his

wife.
Feb. 8, 1798 Thomas Hull and Abigail, his

wife.
March 25, 1798 Lewis Goodsel and Debby, his

wife.
Nov. 29, 1798 Jesse Wheeler and Anna, his

wife.
May 12, 1799 Job Bartram and Anthy, his

wife.
Aug. 18, 1799 Thomas Bartram and Sarah, his

wife.
Dec. 22, 1799 John Morehouse and Hannah,

his wife.
April 7, 1800 Aaron Hubbel and Betsey Hub-

bel, his wife.

Sept. 14, 1800 Elizabeth Dewey.

Jan. 18, i8oi Catherine Wheeler.

March 13, tSoi Abraham Parrot.

April 5, 1801 Eunice Wakeman.

June 28, 1801 Abel Ogden and Betsey, his

wife.
Oct. 18, 1801 Samuel Beers, Jr., and Ralph

Burns.
-Sept. 19, 1802 William Wheeler, Justus Sher-
wood and Sally, his wife.

Nov. 7, 1802 Levi Perry.

March 13, 1803. .. .Daniel Beers Osborn.

March 13, 1803 Joseph Sturges and Sarah, his

wife.
Aug. 7, 1803. .. .Stephen Osborn, Jr.

Sept. 2, 1804 David Burr.

Sept. 2, 1804 Barnabas Bartram and Deborah,

his wife.
Dec. 23, 1804 David Wilson and Betsey, his

wife.

April 7, 1805 Billy Bibbins and Anna, his wife,

April 7, 1805 Seth Osborn and Eunice, his

wife.
June 9, 1805 James Allen and Abigail, his

wife.
Dec. 15, 1805 John Gold and Elizabeth .Mien.

RECORD OF BAPTISMS

Aug. 19, 1604.. Seth and Samuel, sons of Mr.

Daniel Burr, Sr.
Aug. 26, 1694 Samuel, son of Mr. Nathan and

Mrs. Hannah Gold.

Aug. 26, 1694 Isaac, son of Daniel Frost.

Aug. 26, 1694 Daniel, son of Daniel and I-'liza-

bcth Cumstock of Norwalk.

Aug. 26, 1694 Sarah and Rebecca, daughters

of Cornelius Hull, Jr.

Aug. 26, 1694 Elizabeth, daughter of John and

Esther Bulkly.

Aug. 26, 1694 Mary and Anne, daughters of

Tbcophilus Hull.

Sept. 9, 1694 Nathaniel, son of William Lyon.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 471

Sept.

1694.

Sept.

1694.

Sept.

1694

Sept.

16,

1694.

Sept.

16,

1694.

Sept.

16,

1694

Sept.

23,

1694.

Sept.

23.

1694.

Oct.

1694

Oct.

1694.

Oct.

1694-

Oct.

1694.

Oct.

■ 694.

Oct.

1694.

Oct.

21,

1694.

Oct.

21,

1694.

Oct.

21,

1694.

Oct.

28,

1694.

Oct. 28, 1694

Nov. II, 1694

Nov. 18, 1694

Dec. 2, 1694

Dec. 9, 1694

Dec. 16, 1694

Dec. 23. 1694

Dec. 23, 16,4

Dec. 23, 1694

Dec. 23. 1694

Dec. 23, 1694

Dec. 30, 1694

...Michael, son of Samuel Jen-
nings.

...Mary, daughter of Jonathan
Squire.

...Martha, daughter of Samuel
Hull.

...Thomas and Samuel, sons of
John Gruman.

...John, son of John and Abigail
Wheeler.

...Sarah, daughter of Robert Sylle-
man.

...Sarah, daughter of Joseph
Bulkly.

...Abigail, daughter of Daniel and
Abigail Lockwood.

...John, son of Jonathan More-
house.

...John, son of Mr. Albert Denny.

. . . Matthew, son of Matthew Sey-
mour.

...Hannah, daughter of Jonathan
Morehouse.

...Ruth, daughter of Mr. Jno. Bel-
den.

. ..Margret, daughter of James Red-
field.

...James, son of Joseph Beers.

...Abigail, daughter of Joseph
Beers.

...John, son of John Dunbar.

. ..Ebenezer, son of Joseph Jen-
nings.

...Abigail, daughter of Joseph Jen-
nings.

...Sarah, daughter of Jno. Seely.

...Isaac, son of Isaac Wheeler, Jr.

...Sarah, daughter of John Odle,
Jr.

...Abigail, daughter of Jonathan
Squire.

...Sarah, daughter of Jonathan
Fanton.

...Samuel, son of Samuel French.

. . . Abraham Addams.

...Israel, son of James Nuton.

...Anne, daughter of James Nuton.

...Susannah, wife of Nathaniel
Burr, Jr.

...Mary, wife of Nathan Addams.

...Sarah, wife of John Bartram.

...Joseph and Nathaniel, sons of
Nathaniel Burr, Jr.

...Nathan and Nathaniel, sons of
Nathan and Mary Addams.

...Candy, daughter of Nathan and
Mary Addams.

...John, son of John and Sarah
Bartram.

...Sarah, daughter of John and
Sarah Bartram.

...James Nuton.

Dec.

30, 1694.

Dec.

30, 1694.

Jan.

1694-5.

Jan.

1694-5 •

Jan.

1694-S.

Jan.

13.

1694-5.

Jan.

20,

■694-5.

Jan.

20,

1694-5.

Jan.

20,

1694-S.

Jan.

20,

1694-S.

Jan.

21,

1694-5.

Jan.

27,

1694-S.

Jan.

27.

1694-5-

Jan.

27.

1694-S.

Jan.

27.

1694-5.

Jan.

27,

1694-5.

Jan.

27.

1694-5.

Jan.

27.

1694-S.

Jan.

27,

1694-5.

Jan.

27,

1694-5.

Jan.

27.

1694-5.

Jan.

27.

1694-5.

Feb.

10,

1694-S.

Feb.

17.

1694-5.

Feb.

17.

1694-5.

Feb.

17.

1694-5.

Feb.

17.

1694-S.

Feb.

17.

1694-5.

Feb.

17.

1694-5.

Feb.

17,

1634-5.

Feb.

17.

1694-5.

Feb.

17.

1694-5.

Feb.

17-

1694-5-

Feb. 17, 1694-5

Feb.

17.

1694-5

Feb.

24.

1694-S

Feb.

24.

1694-5

Feb.

24.

1694-5

Feb.

24.

1694-5

Feb.

24.

1694-5

...Abigail, wife of Daniel Sylleman.

...Benjamin, son of John Sturgis,
Jr.

...John and Thomas, sons of Jno.
Whitlock.

...Hannah, daughter of P. Whit-
lock.

...Sarah, daughter of David Whit-
lock.

...Jeremiah Fowler.

...Deborah and Hannah, daughters
of Abraham Addams.

. . . Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel
Burr, Jr.

...Edward, John and Henry, sons
of Edward and Sarah Lacy.

...Sarah, Mary and Elizabeth,
daughters of Edward and Sa-
rah Lacy.

...Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel Wil-
son.

. . .Robert Turney.

. . .Thomas Turney.

. . . Rebecca Turney.

. . .Abigail Lyon.

. . . Hannah Cressy.

...Joseph Ogden, son of Richard
and Sarah Ogden.

...Richard Ogden, son of Richard
and Sarah Ogden.

...Jonathan Ogden, son of Richard
and Sarah Ogden.

...Sarah, daughter of Richard and
Sarah Ogden.

...Sarah and Jemimah, daughters
of Rebecca Turney.

...Jonathan, son of Rebecca Tur-
ney.

...Sarah, wife of Robert Church.

. . .Daniel Meeker.

. . .John Smith.

...Martha Smith.

. . . Sarah Sherwood.

. . .Jane Pinkney.

. . . Ilczekiah, son of Mr. Nathan
Gold.

...Joseph, son of Samuel Smith.

..Hester, daughter of P. Smith.

..Lemuel, son of Phillip Price.

..Abigail, daughter of Robert and
Sarah Church.

...Sarah, daughter of Robert and
Sarah Church.

...Elizabeth Bisbom.

, . . Samuel Smith, Jr.

...John, son of John Barlow.

...Mary, daughter of Abraham
Addams.

..Abigail, daughter of Abraham
Addams.

...Susanna, daughter of Abraham
Addams.

472

Feb. 24, i6g4-5--

March 3, 1694-5-

March 3, 1694-5.

March 3, 1694-5-

March 3, 1694-5.

.March 10, 1694-5.

March 10, 1694-5-

March 10, 1694-5.

March 10, 1694-5-

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

March
March
March

March

March
March

17, 1694-5-
17. 1694-5-
24, 1694-5-

24. 1694-5-

24, 1694-5-

24. 1694-5

24, 1694-S-

31. 1694-5
31. 1695-

March 31, 1695.

March

31,

1695.-

.March

31.

695- -

April

1695--

April

1695--

April

1695.-

.April

1695.-

April

1695--

April

1695-

April

12,

1695-

May

12,

1695-

May

19,

169s-

May

1695-

May

1695-

Tune

169.S

Elizabeth, daughter of .Abraham

Addams.
Nehemiah, son of Joseph and

Elizabeth Webb.
Eliphalet, son of Eliphalet and

Esther Hill-
John, son of John Hide.
Elizabeth, daughter of John

Hide.
Hannah Close.
Mary Gray.
.Deborah, daughter of John and

Phebe Bennit.
.Mary and Elizabeth, daughters
of Israel and Elizabeth Row-
land.
.Jacob Patchin.
.Henry Hendrick.
.John, son of John and Elizabeth

Darling.
.Joseph, son of Jacob and Mary

Patchin.
.Abigail, daughter of William

Hill.
.Mary Gruman, daughter of Mary

Patchin.
.Abigail, daughter of Jacob

Patchin.
.Abigail, daughter of Abraham

Higgins.
. Jno. Niccols.
.Deliverance and Thomas, sons

of Thomas and Sarah Bennit.
.Sarah and Tabitha, daughters of

Thomas and Sarah Bennit.

..John, son of Henry Hendrick.

.Mary, daughter of Mr. Jno.

Burr.
..Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel Wil-
son.
..Anne, daughter of Nathaniel

Wilson.
..Nathaniel, son of Cornelius
Hull, Jr.
.Margery Bisbom, daughter to

Susan Price.
..Rebecca Bisbom, daughter to

Susan Price.
..Hannah, daughter of Mathew

Sherman.
. .Daniel and John, sons of Daniel

and Abigail Sylleman.
..Abigail, Mary and Peaceable,
daughters of Daniel and .Abi-
gail Sylleman.
. ..Obadiah Gilbert and Joseph Gil-
bert.
...Benjamin, son of Obadiah Gil-
bert.
...Hannah, daughter of Samuel

Hubbel.
...Daniel, son of .Samuel Coley.

June 2, 1695 Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. John

Wakeman.
June 2, 1695. . . .Jemimah 3"^ -Abigail, daughters
of Samuel and Esther Coley.

June 16, 1695 Ebenezer, son of John Niccols.

June 23, 1695 John, son of Mr. Michel Clugs-

ton.

June 23, 1695 John and Nathan, sons of John

Nash of Norwalk.
June 30, 1695. ... Sarah, daughter of Jno. Whit-
lock.
7, 1695 Thomas, son of Mr. Jno. Ed-
wards.
7, 1695 Mary, daughter of Mr. Jno. Ed-
wards.

7, 1695 Elizabeth, wife of Daniel

Meeker.

1695 Daniel, David and Joseph, sons

of Daniel Meeker.
1695. .. .Hannah and Elizabeth, daugh-
ters of Daniel Meeker.

28, 1695 Joseph Lyon.

28, 1695 Joseph, son of Joseph Lyon.

28, 1695 Thomas and Hezekiah; sons of

John Staples.
28, 1695 .Abigail and Mehitabel, daugh-
ters of John Staples.

20, 1695 Ellen, daughter of Robert

Churcher.
1695 John, son, and Martha, daugh-
ter, of John Smith.

3, 1695 Benjamin, son of Capt. Thomas

Hill.
..Lydia Davis.
..Samuel, son of Nathan Seymour,

Norwalk.
..Benjamin, son of John Brooks

of Stratford.
..Elizabeth Seely.
. . Marv, daughter of John Davis,
Jr.'

Jan. 19, 1695. .. ..Samuel, son of Jno. Davis, Jr.
Feb. i6, 1695-6. ... Mary, wife of Richard Lyon.

Feb. 16, 1695 Hannah Jurdain.

Feb. 16, 1695 Abner, son of Joseph Frost.

Feb. 16, 1695 William, son of William Lyon.

March i, 1695. ... Elizabeth, wife of John Meeker.
March 8, 1695. .. .Joshua, son of Jonathan More-
house.

March 8, 1695 Hannah, daughter of Elnathan

Handford.

March 29, 1696 Thomas, son of Thomas Murwin.

March 29, 1696 Mary, daughter of Daniel Lock-
wood.

^Lnrch 29, 1696 Sarah, Susannah and Elizabeth.

daughters of John Meeker.
March 29, 1696. ... Sarah, daughter of Samuel Sher-
wood.

April 5, 1696 Nathaniel Sceley.

-April s, 1696 Joseph, son of Joseph Grimes.

April s, 1696 Samuel, son of Richard Lyon.

April 5, 1696 Ebcnercr, son of Richard Lyon.

July

July,

Tub-
July

July

July
Oct.
Oct..
Nov.

Nov. 17, 1695- •
Nov. 17, 1695..

Jan. 12, 1695.

Jan. 12, 1695..
Jan. 19, 1695..

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 473

May 24, 1696.

April s, i6?i6 Sarah, daughter to Richard

Lyon.

April s, 1696 Anna, daughter of Nathaniel

Burr, Jr.

April 19, 1696 Mary, daughter of Richard Og-

den.

April 19, 1696 Mary, daughter of Nichols Jud-

son.

April 26, 1696 Samuel, son of Samuel Hull.

April 26, 1696 Samuel, son of John Barlow.

May 3, 1696 David, son of Mr. John Tomp-

son.

May 3, 1696 Thomas, son of Simon Couch.

May 3, 1696 Abigail, daughter of Simon

Couch.

May 3, 1696 Mary, daughter of Samuel

Couch.

May 10, 1696 Sarah, daughter to Benjamin

Green of Stamford.

May 10, 1696 Mary, daughter to John Smith.

May 17, 1696 Sarah Seely of Bedford.

May 17, 1696 Ellen, daughter to Jonathan Fan-
ton.
..Joseph, David and Jeremiah,

sons to Joseph Sturges.
..Edmund, son to John Bennit.
..Elizabeth, daughter to Mr. Jno.

Osborn.
..Luke, son, and Mary, daughter,

to Luke Guire.
..Daniel Knap, son to Sybille

Niccolson.
..Nehemiah, son to widow Sarah

Seely.
. . Sarah, daughter to Capt. Na-
than Gold.
..Joseph, son to Jno. Barthram.
..Robert and Nathaniel, sons, and
Sarah, daughter, to widow Sa-
rah Seely.
...Sarah and Hannah, daughters to
Isaac Rumsey.

Aug. 30, 1696 Olive, daughter to Jno. Bulkly.

Sept. 6, 1696 Jeremiah, Ebenezer and Samuel,

sons to John Bennit.

Sept. 6,1696 Mary, daughter.

Sept. 13, 1696 Gershom, son to Joseph Bulkly.

Sept. 13, 1696 Isaac, son to Isaac Finch.

Sept. 13, 1696 Abilene, daughter to Edward

Jessup.
Sept. 20, 1696 Elizabeth, daughter to Mr. Dan-
iel Burr.

Sept. 27, 1696 Nathaniel, son to Robert Sylle-

man.

Oct. 4, 1696 Mindwell, daughter to Benjamin

Sherman.
Oct. II, 1696 Ruth, daughter to Nathan Ad-
dams.

Oct. II, 1696 Damaris, daughter to Jno. Hide.

Oct- as, 1696 James, son to James Redfield.

Oct 25, 1696 Abigail, daughter to Samuel

Smith.

May

24.

1696.

May

24.

1696.

June

14.

1696.

June

21.

1696.

July

12,

1696.

July

23,

1696.

Aug.

1696.

Aug.

23.

1696.

Aug. 30, 1696.

Nov. I, 1696...

Nov. I, 1696...
Nov. I, 1696...

Nov. 8, 1696.. .

Nov. 3, 1696. ..
Nov. 17, 1696...

Nov. 17, 1696...
Feb. 14, 1696-7.

Feb. 21, 1696-7...

Feb. 28, 1696-7..,

March 7, 1696-7

March 21, 1696-7.

March 21, 1696-7

April II, 1697..

April II, 1697. .

April 18, 1697..

April

18,

1697.

April

18,

1697.

May

23.

1697.

May

23,

1697-

May

23.

1697.

June

13.

1697.

June

20,

1697.

June

27.

1697.

July

1697.

July

1697. •

Aug.

IS.

1697

Aug.

22,

1697

Sept.

1697

Sept.

1697

Sept.

19,

1697

Oct.

1697

Oct.

1697

.Martha, wife of Tho. Morehouse,
Jr.

.Andrew, son to Mr. John Burr.

.Lemuel, son to Tho. Morehouse,
Jr.

. Mary, daughter to ye Rev'd Mr.
Seth Shove of Danbury.

.Elijah, son to Tho. Holliburth.

.Samuel, son to Mr. Michae'
Clugston.

.Jonathan, son to Eleazar Smith.

.Hannah, daughter to John Sta-
ples.

. Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph
Webb.

.Grizzell, daughter to Mr. Albert
Denny.

.John, Isaac, Daniel, Joseph and
Stephen, sons to Samuel and
Phebe Wilson.

. Elizabeth, daughter to Samuel
and Phebe Wilson.

.Elizabeth, daughter to Samuel
Jennings.

.Edward, son to Edward Jessup.

.Samuel, son to John Niccols.

..Sarah, daughter to Jno. Wheeler.

. .Jemimah, daughter to Daniel
Sylleman.

..Elizabeth, daughter to Henry
Hendrick.

..Abigail, Rebecca, Helena and
Elizabeth, daughters to Elea-
zar Smith.

..Ebenezer, son, Helena and Han-
nah, daughters, to Luke Guire.

..John, son to Jno. Meeker.

..Mary, daughter to Phil. Price.

. .Theophilus, son to Theophilus
Hull.

..Ebenezer, son to John Sturgis.

..John, son to Obadiah Gilbert.

. .Bethyah, daughter to Jsr. Row-
land.

..Ebenezer, son to Cornelius Hull.

..David, son to Joseph Lyon.

..Rebecca, daughter to Daniel
Frost.

..Mary, daughter to David Whit-
lock.

..Simon, son to Simon Couch.

..Sarah, daughter to Joseph Jen-
nings.

..Mathew, son to Mathew Jen-
nings.

..Abigail, daughter to John Bar-
low.

..Elizabeth, daughter to Peter
Clapham.

..Stephen, son to Mr. Daniel
Burr.

..Daniel, son to Richard Lyon.

474

Oct. 31, 1697.

March 27, 1698.

April 17, 1698.

May 15, 1698.

May 15. 169S.

May 8, 1698.

May 15, 1698.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

22, 1698.
29, i(

May

May 29, 1698..

May 5, 1698..

June 5, 1698..

June J 2, 1698..

June 12, 1698...

July 10, 1698..

July 10, 1698. .

July 17. 1698..,

July 17, 1698..

Aug. 7. 1698..

Aug. 14, 1698..

Aug. 14, 1698..,

.•\ug. 21, 1698..

Aug. 21, i6g8..

Sept. 18, 1698..

Sept. 25, 1698..

Oct. 2, 1698..

Oct. 9. 1698..

Jan. IS, 1698-9

March 12, 1698-9

.Elizabeth, daughter to Mathew

Jennings.
, .Nehemiah, son to Robert
Churcher.

.John, son to John Downs.

.Moses, son to Moses Dimon.

.Samuel, son to John Darling.

.Anne, daughter to Mr. Jno.
Wakeman.

.Sarah, daughter to Samuel Smith.

.Nathaniel, son to Nathaniel
Burr, Jr.

.Elizabeth, daughter to Abr.
Finch.

.Moses, son to William Lyon.

.Solomon, son to Joseph Sturgis.

.Sarah, daughter to Jacob
Patchin.

.John Winton, son of Hannah
Fountain.

.Samuel, son to Aaron Fountain.

.Joseph, son to Jeremiah Fowler.

.Aaron and Moses, sons to Aaron
Fountain.

.Hannah, daughter to Aaron
Fountain.

.Thomas, son to Thomas More-
house, Jr.

.Rebecca and Mary, daughters to
Thomas Morehouse, Jr.

.Isaac, son to Isaac Rumsey.

.Jonathan, son to Jonathan Whit-
aker.

.Bethyah, daughter to Joseph
Kirby.

.Christopher and Samuel, sons to
Christopher Godfrey.

.Elizabeth, Mary and Abigail,
daughters to Christopher God-
frey.

.Adryah, daughter to Samuel
Couch.

.John, son to Mr. John Edwards.

. Anne, daughter to Jonathan
Fanton.

.John, son to Luke Guire.

.Mary, daughter to Robert Lord.

.Mary, daughter to Mr. Michael
Clugston.

.John, son to Thomas Morehouse,
Jr.

.Patience, daugliter to Samuel
Jennings.

. Mary, daughter to Nathan Ad-
dams.

.Benjamin, son to Daniel Meeker.

.Daniel, son to Daniel Bradly.

.Mary, daughter to Joseph Webb.
Anne, daughter to Robert Sylle-
man.

El)cnezer, son to Joseph Wake-
man.

April
April

April
April
April

April

May
May
May
May

June
July

Nov.

23. "bgg-.

23, 1699.

23, 1699

30, 1699

30, 1699,

14, 1699

20, 1699

May 27, 1699

4, 1699
23, 1699

Aug. 6, 1699

Aug. 13, 1699

Aug. 27, 1699

Sept. II, 1699

Oct. 15, 1699

S, 1699

Nov. 19, 1699

Nov. 26, 1699

Dec. 3, 1699

Dec. 17, 1699

Feb. II, 1699-1700..

Feb. iS, 1699-1700. ,

Fob. 25, 1 699- 1 700. .
Marcli 3, 1699-1700.

March 10, 1699-1700

April
April

April

7, 1700.,
14. 1700.,

April s, 1700.,
.\l)ril 5, 1700.,

.Solomon, son to John Niccols.

. John, son to Christopher God-
fry.

.Mary, daughter to James Nuton.

. Ebenezer, son to John Bartram.

. Margaret, daughter to Mr. Al-
bert Denny.

.Anne, daughter to Mr. John
Burr.

. Isaac, Henry, William and Da-
vid, sons to Henry Gray.

.Deborah and Mary, daughters to
Henry Gray.

.Joseph Jennings.

.John, son to Mr. John Read.

. William, son to William Hill.

.Thomas and Samuel, sons to El-
nathan Handford.

.Abigail, daughter to Thomas
Murwin.

.Joseph, son to Edward Jessup.

. I'eter, son to Daniel Burr.
Deborah, daughter to Jonathan
Squire.

.Abigail, daughter to John Smith.

.Abigail, daughter to John
Wheeler.

. Hannah, daughter to Simon
Couch.

.Robert, son to John Meeker.

.Henry, son to Henry Hendrick.

.Elizabeth, daughter to Cornelius
Hull.

. Martha, daughter to Thomas
Bennit, Jr.

.Anne, daughter to John Barlow.

. Deborah, daughter to Samuel
Smith.

.Sarah, daughter to .Abraham
Higgins.

.Nathan, son to Samuel Hubbel.

. I'rancis, son to Francis Bradly.

. Jonatlian, son to William Mal-
lery.

Sarah, daughter to Samuel Jen-
nings.

Samuel, son to Samuel Sher-
wood.

Nathaniel, son to John Donns.

Sarah, daughter to Capt. Nathan
Gold.

.Sarah, daughter to Joseph Stur-
ges.

.Daniel, son to Nathan Jennings.

. Ephraim, son to Nathaniel Burr,
Jr.

. Catlicrine, daughter to Joseph
Wakeman.

.Daniel, son to Jolin Hide.

.Abigail, daughter to Robert
Lord.

.William, son to Aaron Fountain.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 475

June

1700

June

16,

1700

June

23,

1700.

June

30,

1700.

July

28,

1700.

Aug.

1700.

Aug.

1700

Aug.

II.

1700.

Aug.

25.

1700

Sept.

1700.

Sept. 8, 1700.

Sept.
Sept.

8, 1700.
8, 1700.

Sept. 22, 1700.

Sept.
Oct.

Nov.
Dec.
Dec.

Dec.

Jan.

22, 1700.
22, 1700.

17, 1700.
8, 1700.
8, 1700.

22, 1700.

5, 1700-1.

Jan. 5, 1700-1.
Jan. 12, 1700-1.

Feb. 2, 1 700- 1.

March 2, 1700-

March 9, 1700-

March 30, 1701.

April 27, 1701.

May 18, 1701.

May 25, 1701.

June IS, 1701.

June 22, 1701.

June 29, 1701.
July 13, 1701.

Aug. 24, 1701.

Sept. 14, 1701.

Sept 21, 1701.

Sept. 21, 1701.

...Joseph, son to John Bagly.

. ..Wilham, son to Daniel Frost.

...Cornelius, son to Samuel Hull.

...Sarah and Annah, daughters to
Gideon Allen.

...Thomas, son to John Niccols.

..Abigail, daughter to McDougal
Mackenzie.

...Hannah, daughter to Peter Coly.

...Martha, daughter to Joseph Jen-
nings.

...Samuel, son to Daniel Meeker.

. ..Johannah, daughter to Nathan
Addams.

, ..Thaddeus, son to Mr. Peter
Burr.

...Benjamin, son to William Lyon.

...Elizabeth, daughter to Obadiah
Gilbert.

...Jonathan, son to Jonathan Fan-
ton.

...Samuel, son to Samuel Couch.

...Martha, daughter to Mr. John

Wakeman.
..John, son to Moses Dimon.

..Grace, daughter of Joseph Webb.

...Samuel, son to Mr. John Ed-
wards.

...Abraham, son to Daniel Mere-
house.

. .. John, son to Thomas More-
house, Jr.

...George, son to George Barlow.

...Abigail, daughter to John Ben-
nit.

...Elizabeth, daughter to Mr. John
Burr.

[..Esther, daughter to Joseph Stur-
ges.

[..Mary, daughter to Daniel
Bradly.

. ..Eliphalet, son to Theophilus
Hull.

...Benjamin, son to Benjamin
Sherwood.

...Jane, daughter to Daniel Burr.

...Joseph, son to John Barlow.

...Sarah, daughter to John Hill.

...Hannah, daughter to Richard
Lyon.

...Nathaniel, son to Nathaniel
Seely.

...Joseph, son to John Darling.

...Martha, daughter to Cornelius
Hull.

...Martha, daughter to Robert Syl-
leman.

...Thomas, son to Thomas Staples.

. ..Gershom, son to James Bennit.

...John, son to John Bradly.

...Abigail, Elizabeth and Ruth,
daughters to John Bradly.

Sept.

28, 1701..

Oct.

19, 1701..

Oct.

19, 1701..

Oct.

26, 1701..

Nov.

2, 1701..

Nov.

2, 1701..

Nov.

2, 1701..

Nov.

2, 1701..

Nov.

16, 1701..

Nov.

30, 1701..

Dec.

28, 1701..

Dec.

28, 1701..

Jan.

4, 1701-2..

Feb.

I, 1701-2..

March

22, 1701-2

March

22, 1701-2

March
March

29, 1702.
29, 1702.

April s. 1702.,

il 12,

1702

il 19.

1702

il 19.

1702

April 26, 1702.

May

1702

May

1702

May

1702

May

16,

1702

May

24,

1702

June

14.

1702

June

14.

1702

June

21,

1702.

July

12,

1702

July

12,

1702

July

12,

1702

Aug.

1702.

Aug.

16,

1702

Aug.

30,

1702

Aug.

30,

1702

Aug.

30,

1702.

Sept.

13.

1702

Oct.

1702

. . Dorothy, daughter to John

Sturgis.
. .Onesimus, son to Capt. Nathan

Gold.
..John, son to McDougal Mac-
kenzie.
..Samuel, son to Francis Bradly.
..Jacob, son to Jacob Patchin.
..Joseph, son to Benjamin Rumsy.
. . Ann and Sarah, daughters to

Benjamin Rumsy.
. . Dorothy Bedient.
..John, son to John Staples.
..Annabel, daughter to Mr. Albert

Denny.
..Joseph, son to John Downs.
..Mary, daughter of John Wheeler.
. . Eunice, daughter to Gershom

Bulkly.
.John, son to John Thorp, Jr.
.John, son to Joseph Bulkly.
.Samuel, son to Samuel Jen-
nings.
.Eleanor, daughter to Elnathan

Handford.
.Sarah, daughter to Robert Lord.
..Deborah, daughter to Samuel

Smith.
. . Rebecca, daughter to Israel

Rowland.
. .Josiah, son to Samuel Hull.
. .Eleazar, son to John Smith.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph

Wakeman.
..Hannah, daughter to Henry

Hendrick.
..John, son to Simon Couch.
..John, son to Aaron Fountain.
..Elizabeth, daughter to Jonathan

Morehouse.
.Mary, daughter to Thomas

Morehouse, Jr.
..Deborah, daughter to Jno.

Meeker.
..Joseph, son to John Bradly.
..Abigail, daughter to Joseph

Sturgis.
.Abigail, daughter to John Hide.
. .WiHiam, son to William Hill.
.Josiah, son to John Bagly.
..Deborah, daughter to Edward

Jessup.
.Daniel, son to Daniel Crowfoot.
..Francis, son to John Barlow.
..Peter, son to Peter Coly.
. . Robert, son to Robert Turney.
.Rebecca, daughter to Daniel

Addams.
..David, son, and Sarah, daugh-
ter, to Mr. Jonathan Sturgis.
..Hannah Gee and Elizabeth

Rumsy.

476

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Oct. II, 1702..

Oct. 18, 1702..

Oct. 25, 1702..

Nov. I, 1702..

Nov. 29, 1702..

Dec. 6, 1702..

Dec. 13, 1702..

Dec. 27, 1702..

Jan. 10, 1702-3..

Jan. 31. I702-3--

Jan. 31, 1702-3..

Jan. 3r, 1702-3..

Jan. 31, 1702-3..

Feb. 14, 1702-3..

Feb. 28, 1702-3..

Feb. 14, 1702-3..

March

21,

1702-3

March

21,

1703..

April

«i.

1703..

April

1703..

April

25,

1703..

April

2S,

1703..

May

1703..

May

1703- • •

May

1703 ■■

May

1703...

May

16,

1703 •••

June

1703...

July

Aug. IS, 1703-
Aug. 22, 1703.

Aug. 29, 1703..
.Sept. 12, 1703..

Sept. 19, 1703...
Sept. 19, 1703...

Sept. 26, 1703..
Oct. 3, 1703..

. Martha, daughter to Daniel
Bradly.

.Isaac, son to Isaac Jennings.

.Abigail, daughter to Samuel
Sherwood.

.Abigail, daughter to Mr. Peter
Burr.

.Stephen, son to Mr. John Wake-
man.

.Avis, daughter to Nathan Ad-
dams.

.George, son to George Squire.

.David, son to John Bartram.

.Benjamin, son to Samuel Couch.

. Sarah, daughter to Daniel More-
house.

. Gideon, son to Gideon Allen.

.Joseph, son to Benjamin Sher-
wood.

.Esther, daughter to Daniel Burr.

.Sarah, daughter of Joseph Webb.

.Isaac, son to Christopher God-
frey.

.Benjamin, son to John Darling.

.James, son to Mr. Albert
Denny.

.Joseph, son to John Downs.

. Eunice, daughter to Samuel
Hubbel.

.Jeremiah, son to Nathan Jen-
nings.

. Abigail, daughter to Obadiah
Gilbert.

.Abigail, daughter to John Ed-
ward (Mr.).

.Sarah, daughter to Thomas
Williams, Jr.

.Daniel, son to McDougall Mac-
kenzie.

.Mary, daughter to Jonathan
Fanton.

.Rachel, daughter to John Bennit.

. Elizabeth, daughter of James
Bennit.

.Robert, son of Jno. Middlebrook.

.Anne, daughter of Mr. John
Sloss.

.Esther, daughter of Daniel
Meeker.

.Esther, daughter of Samuel Coly.

.Mary, daughter of William Mal-
lery.

.Thomas, son to Moses Dimon.

.Martha, daughter to Jacob
Patchin.

. Ephraim, son to Francis Bradly.

.Hannah, daughter to John
Bradly.

. Nathaniel, son to Nathaniel
.Shaw.

Deborah, daughter to Israel
Rowland.

Oct.
Oct.

30, 1703-
30, 1703-

Nov. 28, 1703. .
Dec. 5, 1703..

Dec. 26, 1703..
Jan. 2, 1703-4..

Jan. 30, 1703-4-.
Jan. 30, 1703-4- •
Feb. 6, 1703-4..

Feb. 13, 1703-4..
March 5, 1703-4

March 5, 1703-4
March 12, 17034

March 12, 1703-4

March 19, 1703-4
March 19, 17034
March 26, 1704.

April 2, 1704. .
April 9, 1704..
April 16, 1704. .

April 16, 1704..

April 23, 1704..

April 16, 1704.
May 7, 1704.

May
May

14, 1704...
21, 1704..

May 21, 1704...

May 28, 1704...

June II, 1704...

June 25, 1704...

July 16, 1704...

Aug. 27, 1704...

Sept. 10, 1704...

Sept. 24, 1704. ..

Oct. I, 1704...

.Ebenezer, son to John Sturgis.

.Mary, daughter to Benjamin
Rumsy.

.Mary, wife to Samuel Coly.

.Samuel, son, and Mary, daugh-
ter, to Samuel Coly.

.Hannah, daughter to John
Thorp, Jr.

.Abigail, wife to Samuel Osborn.

.Samuel, son, and Hannah,
daughter, to Samuel Osborn.

.Simon, son to Peter Coly.

.Daniel, son to George Squire.

.Sarah, daughter to Thomas
Morehouse, Jr.

. Natiian, son to Richard Lyon.

.Abigail, daughter to John Os-
born, Jr.

.Sarah, daughter to John Barlow.

.Jane, daughter to Joseph Stur-
gis.

.Anne, daughter to Joseph Jen-
nings.

.Robert Sylleman.

.Samuel, son to Daniel Addams.

..Rrherca, daughter to Samuel
Smith.

.Joi.u, son to Theophilus Hull.

.Sarah, daughter to John Smith.

.Joseph. John and Samuel, sons
to Samuel Squire.

.Sarah, daughter to Samuel
Squire.

.Elizabeth, daughter to Jno.
Wheeler.

.Jemimah, daughter to Martha,
wife of John Williams.

.Elizabeth and Rebecca, daugh-
ters to John Williams.

.Sarah, daughter to John Hide.

.Sarah, daughter to John Bar-
tram.

Joseph, son to Joseph Wakeman.

.Stephen and Gershom, sons to
John Morehouse.

. Ruth, daughter to John More-
house.

.Damaris and Eunice, daughters
to John Staples.

.Nathan, son to John Meeker.

.Daniel, son to Daniel Bradly.

.Samuel, son to Henry Gray.

.Ebenezer, son to Mr. John Burr.

.James, son to John Hagly.

.Solomon, son to Simon Couch.

.Joseph, son to John Niccols.

.Abigail, daughter to Jonathan
Sturgis.

.Hannah, daughter to Daniel
Morehouse.

.Nathaniel, son to Nathan Ad-
dams.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 477

Dec. 3, 1704.... David, son to Capt. Nathan
Gold.

Dec. 10, 1704 Deborah, wife to Joseph Middle-
brook.

Dec. 10, 1704 Joseph, son to Daniel Crowfoot.

Dec. ID, 1704. ...John, son to John Middlebrook.

Dec. ID, 1704 David, son to Joseph Middle-
brook.

Jan. 2, 1704-5. ... Eunice, daughter of Samuel
Jennings.

Jan. 28, 1704-S Pliilipp, son of Daniel Burr, Jr.

Feb. 18, 1704-5.... Martha, daughter of Samuel
Couch.

Feb. 18, 1704-5 Peter, son of Henry Hendrick.

Feb. 18, 1704-5 Anne, daughter of Mr. Dougal

Mackenzie.

March 4, 1704-5.. Abigail, daughter of Joseph
Webb.

March 18, 1704-5.. Samuel Lyon.

March 18, 1704-5.. John, Samuel and James, sons
of Samuel Lyon.

March 18, 1704-5. .Margery, daughter of Samuel
Lyon.

March 18, 1704-5.. Ebenezer, son of Moses Dimon.

April 8, 1705.... Rebecca, daughter of Robert
Sylleman.

April 29, 1705 Elizabeth Addams, daughter of

Samuel Addams.

April 29, 170S Mary, daughter of Obadiah Gil-
bert.

May 6, 1705 Gershom, son of Peter Burr

(Mr.).

May 6, 1705. .. .Ephraim, son of George Squire.

May 13, 1705... .Anne, daughter of Samuel Sher-
wood.

May 27, 1705.... Joseph, Lemuel, Zechariah and
Ezekiel, sons of Ezekiel Sand-
ford.

June 3, 1705. . ..Ephraim, son of James Bennit.

June 17, 1705 Joseph, son of Mr. John Ed

wards.

June 17, 1705 Rebecca, daughter of Ens. Sam

uel Squire.

June 24, 1705. .. .Abigail, daughter of Gideon Al

July 15, 1705 Abigail, daughter of Samue

Hubbell.
Aug. 19, 1705 Mary, daughter of Isaac Jen

nings.
Aug. 26, 1705 Elizabeth, Hannah and Eunice

daughters of Thomas Sandford
Sept. 2, 1705 Mary, daughter of Matthew Jen

nings.

.Sept. 16, 1705 Hannah Buncom.

Sept. 16, 1705 John, son of Capt. John Wake

man.

Sept. 16, 1705 John, son of John Green.

Sept. 16, 1705. .. .Hannah, daughter of John Green
.Sept. 23, 1705 .\braham, son of Abraham Hig

gins.
Sept. 30, 1705 Mary, daughter of Joseph Stur

Oct. 7, 1705...
Nov. 4, 1705...

Nov. II, 1705...

Dec. 30, 1705...

Feb. 3, 1705-6...

Feb. 10, 1705-6. ..
Feb. 17, 1705-6...

Feb. 24, 1705-6...
Feb. 24, 1705-6...

March 3, 1705-6.
March 3, 1705-6.
March 3, 1705-6.

March 10, 1705-6.

March 17, 1705-6.
March 17, 1705-6.

March 24, 1706...

March 24, 1706. . .

March 31, 1706. . .

April
May
May

7, 1706...
12, 1706...
12, 1706...

May 12, 1706. . .

^ May 19, 1706...

June 2, 1706...

June 9, 1706...

June 16, 1706...

June 23, 1706...

June 30, 1706...

Aug. 25, 1706...

Sept. 8, 1706...

.Sept. 15, 1706...

Sept. 29, 1706...

Oct. 20, 1706...

Dec. 29, 1706...

Jan. 5, 1706-7...

Jan. 26, 1706-7. ..

.John, son of John Osborn, Jr.

.Deborah, daughter of John Ben-
nit.

.John, son of Nathaniel Shaw.

.Mary, daughter of John Hide.

.John, son of Francis Bradly.

.Jethro, son of Thomas More-
house, Jr.

.Sarah and Deborah, daughters
of Joseph Bradly.

.Jabez, son of Theophilus Hull.

.Gershom, son of Samuel Bar-
low.

.John, son of John Williams.

.Rebecca, daughter of William
Mallery.

.Eleazar, son of John .Sturgis.

.David, son of John Downs.

.Deborah, daughter of Lieut.
John Barlow.

.Jabez, son of Lieut. Joseph
Wakeman.

.Judith Anne, daughter of Mr.
John Wheeler.

.John, son of Samuel Coly.

.Ruth, daughter of Thomas Ben-
nit.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Peter
Coly.

.Mary, daughter of John Thorp,
Jr.

.Elizabeth, daughter of John
Morehouse.

.David, son of William Hill.

.Sarah, daughter of Simon Couch.

.Abigail, daughter of Samuel
Lyon.

.Mary, daughter of Joseph
Bradly.

.Abigail, daughter of Daniel
Bradly.

.Judeanne, daughter of Israel
Rowland.

.Joseph, son of Joseph Smith.

.Esther, daughter of Thomas
Williams, Jr.

.Eunice, daughter of Joseph Mid-
dlebrook, Jr.

.Samuel, son of Jacob Patchin.

.Joseph, son of Obadiah Gilbert.

.David, son of Daniel Crowfoot.

.Eleanora, daughter of Cornelius
Hull.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Dou-
gal Mackenzie.

.Bethyah, daughter of George
Squire.

.Daniel, son of Daniel More-
house.

.John, son of Jonathan Fanton.

.Sarah, daughter of Samuel Smith.

.Joseph, son of Joseph Wheeler.

4/8

Jan. 26, 1706-7..

Feb. :6, 1706-7..
Feb. 16, 1706-7..

Feb. 23, 1706-7..

March 2, 1706-7

March 16, 1706-7

March 23, 1706-7

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

April 13, 1707..

April 27, 1707..

May 4, 1707..

May II, 1707..

May 25, 1707..

Mr.y 25, 1707..

May 25, 1707..

June 1st, 1707. .

June 1st, 1707..

June IS, 1707..

June 15, 1707..

June 29, 1707.

July 2T, 1707.

July 27, 1707.

AuR. 3, 1707..

Aug. 10, 1707..

Aug. 17, 1707..

.Sept. 14, 1707..

Sept. 21, 1707..

Oct. 4, 1707..

Nov. 9, 1707..

Dec. 14, 1707...

Dec. 21, 1707..

Feb. 8, 1707-8..

Feb. 8, 1707-8..,

.Margery, daughter of John

Smith.
.Sarah, wife of Henry Gray, Jr.
.Sarah, daughter of Mr. Moses

Gilbert.
.Samuel, son of Mr. Ezekiel

Sandford.
.Eunice, daughter of Samuel

Couch.
.Josiah, son of Joseph Webb.
.Joseph, son of Samuel Barlow.
.Phebe, daughter of John Staples.
.Sarah, daughter of Joseph

Whelpley.
.Rachel, daughter of Gershom

Bulkly.
.Abigail, daughter of Robert Tur-

ney.
.Mary, daughter of John Bagly.
.Abigail, daughter of Samuel Os-

born.
.Bethana.

.John, son of Isaac Jennings.
.Ebenezer, son of John Meeker.
.Jonathan, son of Daniel Meeker.
.Benjamin, son of Benjamin

Rumsy.
.Nathaniel, son of Mr. Daniel

Burr.
. Benjamin, son of Henry Gray,

Jr.
.Benjamin, son of Ensign Sam-
uel Squire.
.Sarah, daughter of Henry Hen-

drick.
.John, son of John Hill.
.Noah, son of Benjamin Sher-
wood.
.Daniel, son of Daniel .'\ddams.
.Jonathan Sturgis, Jr.
.Jonathan, son, and Sarah,

daughter, of Jonathan Sturgis,

Jr.
.John, son of Edward Jessup.
.John, son of Jno. Blackman.
.Abigail, daughter of Moses Di-

mon.
.Dorothy, daughter of Samuel

Jennings.
.Ebenezer, son of Robert Sylle

man.
.Thomas, son of Thomas Sand

ford.
.Martha, daughter of John Black

man.
.Sarah, daughter of the Worship

ful Mr. I'eter Burr.
.Jonathan, son of John Osborn

Jr.
.Martha, daughter of the Wor

shipful C'apt. Nathan Gold.
.David, son of David Osborn.

Feb. 15, 1707-8..

Feb. 22, 1707-8. .

March 14, 1707-J

March 14, 1707-f

March 14, 1707-S
April II, 1708..

April II, 1708..

April II, 1708. .

April 18, 1708..

May 2, 1708..

May 2, 1708. .

May 9, 1708..

May 16, 1708..

May 16. 1708. .

May 30, 1708..

May 30, 1708. .
May 30, 1708. .

June 1, 1708. .

Tune
June

I, i;

June 27, 1708.

June 2T, 1708.

June 27, 1708.

July II, 1708.

July 18, 1708.

July 25, 1708.

Aug. 8, 1708.

Aug. 15, 1708.

Aug. 29, 1708.

Sept. 20, 1708.

Sept.
Oct.

Oct. 10, 1708..

Oct.
Oct.

17. i;
17. i;

Dec. 19, 1708.
Jan. 2z, 1708-9.

.Olive, daughter of Samuel Hub-
bel.

.Eleanour, daughter of Francis
Bradly.

.David, son of Mr. David Burr,
Jr.

.Sarah, daughter of Mr. John
Sloss.

.Hannah, daughter of John Hide.

.Sarah, daughter of Mr. Nathan-
iel Shaw.

.Anne, daughter of Joseph Mid-
dlebrook.

.Ruth, daughter of Mathew Jen-
nings.

.Abigail Banks.

.David, son of Joseph Bradly.

.Benjamin, son of Joseph Smith.

.Jane, daughter of George Squire.

.Thomas, son of Thomas More-
house.

.Elizabeth, daughter of John
Morehouse.

.Mary, daughter of Mr. Daniel
Burr, of Upper Meadow.

.Samuel, son of Thomas Staples.

.Eunice, daughter of Daniel
Bradly.

.Deborah, daughter of Joseph
Sturgis.

.Jonathan, son of Richard Lyon.

.Elizabeth, daughter of John Mid-
dlebrook.

.John Andrews.

.John, son of John Andrews.

.Daniel, son of .Samuel Sherwood.

.Sarah, daughter of William Mal-
lery.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Jno.
Thorp, Jr.

.Abiah, daughter of John Will-
iams.

.Andrew, son of Peter Coly.

.Mary, daughter of Gideon Allen.

.Thomas, son of Joseph Wheeler.

.Elizabeth, daughter of John
Sturgis.

..Samuel, son of Abraham Ilig-
gins.

.Ephraim, son of Samuel Lyon.

.John, son of Mr. Jonathan Fan-
ton.

.John, son of Jacob Sterling.

.Mary, daughter of Mr. Dougal
Mackenzie.

.Sarah, daughter of Mr. Nathan-
iel .Sherman of Stratford.

.Isabelle, daughter of Simon
Couch.

.Gershom, son of Samuel Barlow.

.James, son of Mr. Daniel Burr,
Jr.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD Ol

Jan. 30, 17089 Samuel, son of Capt. Joseph

Wakeman.

Feb. 27, 1708-9 William, son of Robert Rumsy,

Jr.

March 20, 170S-9. .David, son of John Smith.

March 27, 1709 Ephraim, son of Ezekiel Sand-
ford.

March 27, 1709. . . .Gershom, son of Gershom
Bulkly.

April Ebenezer, son of Samuel Couch.

May 15, 1709. .. .Abigail, daughter of Obadiah
Gilbert.

May 22, 1709. ...John, son of Robert Turney.

May 22, 1709. .. .William, son of David Osborn.

May 22, 1709 Esther, daughter of Samuel

Smith.

May 22, 1709 Abigail, daughter of Samue!

Thorp.

May 29, 1709 Samuel, son of Daniel More-
house.

June 5, 1709 George Squire.

June 5, 1709 Eunice, daughter of Mr. Jona-
than Sturgis.

June 19, 1709 Samuel Rowland.

June 19, 1709 Grace, daughter of Samuel Row-
land.

June 26, 1709 Ebenezer, son of Thomas Ben-
nit.

July 3, 1709 Catherine, daughter of Mr.

Moses Gilbert.

July 3. 1709. .. .Sarah, daughter of John Bagly.

July 17, 1709 Marj^ and Sarah, daughters of

Matthew Smith.

Aug. I, 1709. .. .Ruth, daughter of Sergt. Benja-
min Rumsy.

Aug. I, 1709 \nne, daughter of .Samuel Coly.

Aug. 14. 1709 .\bigail, daughter of John An-
drews.

Oct. 16, 1709. ...Jane, daughter of George Squire.

Nov. 6, 1709 Ebenezer, son of Thomas Sand-
ford.

Nov. 13, 1709. .. .Dorothy, daughter of Samuel
Jennings.

Nov. 20, 1709. .. .David, son of Lieut. Moses Di-
mon.

Nov. 2-j, 1709 Sarah, daughter of Isaac Grey.

Jan. I, 1709-10... David, son of Mr. Daniel Burr
of Upper Meadow.

Jan. I, 1709-10 Gershom, son of John Blackman.

Jan. 22, 1709-10. . .Samuel, son of Samuel Barlow.

Feb. 5, 1709-10. ..Benjamin, son of Joseph Sturgis.

March 12, 1709-10. Gershom, son of Joseph Jen-
nings.

March 12. 1709-10. Mary, daughter of John Downs.

March 12, 1709-10. Hannah, daughter of James Ben-
nit.

March 19, 1709-10. James, son of John Morehouse.

April 2, 1710 Rachel, wife of John Hide.

April 2, 1710. ...Joseph, son of John Hide.

April 9, 1710. . ..Thomas Chambers.

April 9, 1710. ...Martha, daughter of .\braham
Higgins.

CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 479

May 14, 1710 Deborah, daughter of Simon

Couch.

May 14, 1710. .. .Abigail, daughter of John
Meeker.

May 14, [710 Mary, daughter of Daniel Bradly.

May 14, 1710. .. .Eunice, daughter of John Thorp.
Jr.
Cornelius, son of Cornelius Hull.

July 2, 1710 Eunice, daughter of the Wor-
shipful Majr. Burr.

July 2, 1710 James, son of Henry Hendrick.

July 2, 1710 Thomasin, daughter of Cornelius

Bunkum.

July 21, 1710 Mary, daughter of Capt. Joseph

Wakeman.

July 23, 1710 Thankful, daughter of Thomas

Morehouse, Jr.

Aug. 6, 1710 Anne, daughter of Samuel Lyon.

Aug. 20, 1710 Isaac, son of Daniel Meeker.

Aug. 20, 1710 Mary, Eleanour, Sarah and Abi-
gail, daughters of Christopher
Shaw.

Oct. I, i-io John, son of Israel Rowland.

Oct. 1, 1710 John, son of John Middlebrook.

Oct. I, 1710 Ellen, daughter of Mr. John

SIoss.

Oct. 8, 1710 Samuel, son of Mr. Dougal Mac-
kenzie.

Oct. 8, 1710 Ebenezer, son of Sergi. Peter

Coly.

Oct. 8, 1710 Josepii, son of Jacob Sterling.

Nathan, son of Christopher Stur-
gis.

Oct. 29, 1710 Esther, daughter of Joseph

Wheeler.

Oct. 29, 1710 Rebecca, daughter of Mr. Daniel

Burr of Town.

Nov. 26, 1710 Rebecca, daughter of Sergt. Eze-
kiel Sandford.

Nov. 26, 1710 Deborah, daughter of Thomas

\N'illiams, Jr.

Nov. 26, 1710. .. .Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph
Smith.

Dec. 3, 1710 John, son of Sergt. Gideon .Mien.

Dec. 3, 1710. .. .John, son of William Mallery.

Dec. 7, 1710 Peter, son of Francis Bradly.

Feb. 5, 1710-11 Elnathan, son of John Sturgis.

Feb. 8, 1710-11 Abigail, daughter of Joseph

Perry.

March 4, 1710-11. .Abigail, daughter of Robert
Rumsy, Jr.

March iS, 171011. .Nathan, son of Samuel Jen-
nings.

.Xpril 8, 1711. .. .Joseph, son of Joseph Bradly.

.\pril 8, 1711 Eleanour, daughter of Samuel

Smith.

May 73, 171 1 Mary, daughter of John Williams.

May 27, 171 1 Josiah, son of Isaac Jennings.

May 27, 171: Grace, daughter of Gershom

Bulkly.

June, 171 1 Deborah, (laugher of Robert

Turney, Sr.

48o

June.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

July

1711...

July

'S,

1711...

July

IS.

1711...

July

22,

1711...

Aug.

12,

1711...

Aug.

12,

1711...

Aug.

20,

1711...

Aug.

20,

17.1...

Sept.

1711...

Oct.

21,

1711...

Oct.

21,

1711...

Oct.

28,

1711...

Nov.

14.

1711...

Nov.

14.

1711...

Dec. 16, 171 1...
Jan. 13, 1711-12...

Feb. 24, 1711-12. . .
Feb. 24, 1711-12..

March 2, 1711-12

March 9, 1711-12

April 13, 1712...

April 20, 1712...

.\pril 27, 1712. . .

April 27, 1712...

May

4, 1712

May 4. 1712..

.May 4, 1712..

.May II, 1712..

May II, 1712..

.Sarah, daughter of David Os-

born.
.Sarah, daughter of Daniel Ad-
dams.
Samuel, son of Samuel Rowland.
Anne, daughter of Sergt. Samuel

Osborn.
Sarah, daughter of Moses Ward.
.Elizabeth, daughter of Capt.

Couch.
Benjamin, son, and Margery,

daughter of John Niccols.
.Sarah, daughter of Benjamin

Sherwood.
.Margaret, daughter of Mr.

Moses Gilbert.
Anne, daughter of John Bagly.
.David, son of Samuel Hubbel.
.Joseph, son of the Honorable

Nathan Gold.
.Thomas, son of Mr. Nathaniel

Shaw.
.Daniel, son of Sergt. Samuel

Barlow.
.Charles, son of'Nathan Lewis.
, Eleanour, daughter of John An-
drews.
Samuel, son of Samuel Thorp.
.Abigail, daughter of Joseph

Jennings, Jr.
.Mary, daughter of Lieut. John

Osborn.
.David, son of Thomas Sandford,
.Rebecca, daughter of Sergt.

Daniel Morehouse.
.Joseph, son of Joseph Beers
.Joseph, son of Joseph Bulkly,

Jr.
.David, son of Fetcr Bulkly, Jr.
.Sarah, daughter of Obadiah (jil-

bert.
.Sarah, daughter of John Thorp,

Jr.
.Joseph Banks.

.Elizabeth, wife of John Smith.Jr.
.Nathan, son of Isaac Grey.
.Gershom, son of Nathaniel

Whitehead.
.Abijah, son of John Morehouse.
.Elizabeth, daughter of Henry

Grey, Jr.
.Ehenezer, son of Sergt. Peter

Coly.
.Phebe, daughter of John Bennit.
.Mary, daughter of Daniel Knap.
.James, son of Daniel Bradly.
.Rebecca, daughter of Jno. ]$lack-

May 25, 1712.
May 25, 1712.

..Samuel Bradly and Phebe

Bradly, his wife.
..Deborah and Anne, daughters of

Samuel Bradly.

May 25, 1712...

June I, 1712. . .

June I, 1712...

June 8, 1712...

June 15, 1712...

July 13, 1712. ••

Aug. 10, 1712...

Aug. 24, 1712...

Aug. 24

Oct. 5. 171-^

Oct. 19, 1712. . .
Oct. 26. 1712...

Nov. 23, 1712...
Nov. 23, 1712...

Dec. 7, 1712...
Dec. 7, 1712...
Dec. 14. 1712...

Dec. 1712...

Jan. 4, 1712-13...

Jan. 14. 1712-13...

Jan. II, 1712-13...

Jan. 18, 1712-13. . .
l""eb. 1, 1712-13...

Feb. 8, 1712-13...
Feb. 8, 1712-13...

Feb. 8, 1712-13...

March 1, 1712-13.

March 15, 1712-13.
March 15, 1712-13.

March 22, 1712-13.

April 5, 1713- ••

April 19, 1713. ..

April .0. 17.3.
May 17, 1713.

May 17, 1713.

.Sarah, daughter of John Winton.

.Joshua Jennings, Sr.

.Abigail, daughter of George

Hull.
.Elnathan, son of Samuel Lyon,

Jr.
.Dorothy and Sarah, daughters

of George Wood.
.Esther, daughter of Joseph

Perry.
.Samuel, son of James Bennit.
.Stephen, son of Thomas More-
house, Jr.
. Damaris, daughter of Capt.

Moses Dimon.
.Sarah, daughter of Moses Knap.
.Joseph, son of Christopher Slur-

gis.
.Stephen, son of Jacob Sterling.
.Mary, daughter of Robert Tur-

ney.
.Sarah, daughter of Luke Guirc.
.Michael, son of Jonathan Mid-

dlebrook.
.Gershom, son of Francis Bradly.
.Charles, son of Nathan Lewis.
.Sarah, daughter of Peter Bulkly,

Jr.
.Benjamin, son of Sergt. John

Seely.
.Joseph and Thomas, sons of

Thomas Nash.
.Sarah, daughter of Thomas

Nash.
.Joseph, son of Richard Hol-

lingsworth.
.David and Johathan, sons of En-
sign Gideon Allen.
.David Addams.
.John, son of Mr. Daniel Burr of

Town.
.Samuel, son of John Smith, Jr.
.Catherine, daughter of Joseph

Wheeler.
.Sarah, daughter of Joseph Mid-

dlebrook.
.Mary, daughter of John Middle-
brook.
.David, son of Moses Knap.
.Sarah, daughter of Edward Jes-

sup.
.Deborah, daughter of Mr. John

Sloss.
.Jemimah, daughter of Samuel

Lyon.
.Samuel, son of Sergt. Jno.

Smith.
.Joseph, son of Joseph Banks,
.Jerusha, daughter of Robert

Turney
.Annah, daughter of William

Mallery.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 48 1

May 24, 1713- •

July 5. I7I3--

July 5. 1713- •

July 12, 1713..
Sept. 13, 1713- •

Sept. 20, 1713-

Sept. 20, 1713- •

Sept. 27. 1713- ■•

Oct. 18, 1713- ••
Nov. I, 1713- ••

Nov. I, 1713. . .
Nov. 8, 1713- •■

Nov. 15, 1713- ■•

Nov. 15, 1713...

Nov. 29, 1713 ••■

Nov. 29, 1713...

Nov. 29, 1713- ■■

Dec. 20, 1713...

Dec. 27, 1713- ■•

Feb. 7, I7I3-I4- ••

Feb. 14, 1713-14...

March 7, 1713-14-

March 21, 1713-14.

March 28, 1714. . .

March 28, 1714...
April 4, 1714. . .

May 2, 1714

May 9. 1714- ••

May 23, 1714- ••

May 30, 1714- ••

May 30, 1714...

May 30, I7I4.--

May 30, 1714- ••

June 13. i7'4--

June 13, 1714- ■

June 20, I7M--

June 20, 1714- •

June 20, 1714. .

..Solomon, son of Capt. Samuel

Couch.
..Esther, Silenne and Thankfull,

daughters of John Gruman.
..John, son of John Gruman.
..Mary, daughter of George Hull.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Robert

Rumsy.
..Benjamin, son of Samuel Jen-
nings.
..Joseph, son of Joseph Perry.
..Jonathan, son of Jonathan

Squire, Jr.
..Nathan, son of Joseph Bradly.
..Samuel, son of Capt. Joseph

Wakeman.
..Samuel, son of Joseph Smith.
..John, son of David Osborn.
..Samuel, son of Samuel Bradly.
Mehitabel, daughter of Benajah

Strong.
Hezekiah, son of Gershom

Bulkly.
Sarah, daughter of Sergt. Samuel

Osborn.
Sarah, daughter of Peter Bulkly.
Esther, daughter of Joseph

Bulkly, Jr.
.Mary, daughter of Lieut. John

Wheeler.
.Benjamin, Thomas and Ger-
shom, sons of Benjamin Banks.
.Stephen, son of Joseph Jennings,

Jr.
.Abigail, daughter of David Ad-
dams.
.Ebenezer, son of Edward Jessup.
.Moses, son of Mr. Daniel Burr,

Jr.
.Sarah, daughter of Samuel Hull.
.Hannah, daughter of John Win-
ton.
Rachel, daughter of John Hide.
Mary, daughter of Thomas Sand-
ford.
.Jonathan, son of Jonathan Mid-

dlebrook.
.Elizabeth, daughter of Robert

Turney, Jr.
.Joseph Grey, now of Newtown.
.Joseph, son, and Mary and Sa-
rah, daughters, of Joseph Grey.
.Samuel, son of Samuel Hubbel.
.Eunice, daughter of Thomas

Williams, Jr.
.Daniel, son of John Andrews.
.Deborah and Rebecca, daughters

of Isaac Grey.
.Samuel, son of Moses Ward.
.John, son of Daniel Knap.
.Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel
Barlow.

July
July

4, I7I4--
I, I7I4--

1714.
29. 1714-

July 4, 1714 John Addams.

July 4, 1714. .. .David, son of Ensign Gideon
Allen.
..David, son of Samuel Thorp.
..Elizabeth, daughter of John

Hoile.
..Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Davis.
..Abigail, daughter of Sergt. Eze-
kiel Sandford.

Aug. 29, 1714 Catherine, daughter of Sergt.

Daniel Morehouse.

Sept. 5, 1714 Jabez, son of Samuel Davis.

Sept. 5, 1714 Experience, Anne and Damaris,

daughters of Samuel Davis.

Sept. ?2, 1714 Nathaniel, son of John Downs.

Sept. 19, 1714 John, son of John Morehouse.

Oct. 24, 1714 Mary, daughter of Jacob Ster-
ling.

Oct. 31, 1714 Damaris, daughter of Capt.

Moses Dimon.

Oct. 31, 1714 David, son of Isaac Jennings.

Oct. 31, 1714 Peter, son of Peter Bennit.

Oct. 31, 1714 John, son of Gideon Allen of

Compo.

Nov. 21, 1714 David, son of Samuel Rowland.

Nov. 21, 1714 Mary, daughter of Nathan

Lewis.

Dec. 26, 1714 Abigail, daughter, and Moses,

son of Joshua Jennings.

Jan. 9, 1714-15 Sarah, daughter of Joseph

Beers.

Jan. 9, 1714-1S Jane, daughter of Isaac Hall.

Jan. 23, 1714-1S Nathan, son of John Thorp, Jr.

Feb. 6, I7I4-JS John, son of Lieut. John Os-
born.

daughter of Henry

of Sergt. Peter Coly.
daughter of George

March 6, 1714-15. .Martha,

Grey.

David, s

Arabella,

Wood.

..Johanna, daughter of Benjamia
Banks.

..Jonathan, son of Moses Knap.

..David, son of John Middle-
brook.

..Abraham, son of James Bennit.

..Robert, son of Nathaniel Wil-
son, Jr.

..Abraham, son of Abraham Hig-
gins.

..Jonathan, son of Joseph Grey
of Newtown.

...Andrew, son of John Beardsley
of Stratfield.

..Zechariah, son of Jonathan
Squire, Jr.

..Abigail, daughter of Capt. Sam-
uel Couch.

..Jonathan, son of Lieut. Thomas
Nash.

..Christopher, son of Christopher
Sturgis.

March 13, 1714-15

April 10, 1715...

May, 1715..

June 5. ,1715-

June 26, 1715. .

July 10, 1715- ■

July 24, 1715..

.\ug. 7, 1715..

Aug. 7, 1715..

Aug. 14, 1715..

Sept. 4, 1715- •

Sept. 4, 1715..

Sept. 4, 1715- •

482

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Sept.

Oct.

I7IS--

Oct.

J7I5--

Oct.

I7I3--

Oct.

I-I5--

Oct.

i7>5--

Nov.

I7I5-.

Dec.

I7IS..

Jan.

8, I-

i5-i6..

Jan. 29, 1715-16...
Jan. 29, 1715-16. . .
Feb. 5, 171516...
Feb. 12, 1715-16. . .

Feb. 12, 1715-16. . .

Feb. 19, 1715-16. . .

March 4, 1713-16.

March 11, 1715-16.

.April I, 1716...

April IS, 1716. . .

April 15, 1716

April 15, 1716...

.\pril 22, 1716

June 3, 1716...

June 24, 1716...
June 24, 1716...

July 15, 1716...

Aug. 5, 1716...

.HannaJi, daughter of Thomas ]
Morehouse, Jr.

Obed, son of Samuel Henry.

Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel
Henry.

John Smith, Jr.

Joseph, son of Georg-e Hull.

Peter, son of Peter Bulkly.

Dorothy, daughter of Joseph
Middlebrook.

Eunice, daijghter of John Win-
ton.

Sarah, daughter of Joseph
Squire.

Daniel, son of Joseph P^rry.

, Eleazar, son of David Osborn.

. Peter, son of Gershom Bulkly.

.Anne, daughter of David Ad-
dams.

. Lydia, daughter of Samuel Da-

Sept. 2, 1716. . .
Sept. 16, 1716...

Sept. 16, 1716. ..

Sept. 16, 1716...

.Sept. 16, 1716. . .

.Sept. 16, 1716...

Sept. 23, 1716...

Sept. 30, 1716...

Mary, daughter of Samuel Lyon,

Jr.
.Aaron, son of Daniel Burr

(.Mr.) of Upper Meadow.
.Benjamin, son of Samuel

Bradly.
Sarah, daughter of Joseph

Banks.
Rebecca, daughter of Moses

Ward.
Obadiah, son of Lieut. Jno.

Wheeler.
Ephraim, son of Joseph Wheeler.
Rachel, daughter of Robert

Rumsy.
William, son of William Mallery.
Israel, son of Israel Honeywell

of Westchester.
David, son of Joseph Smith.
, Zechariah, son of Nathaniel

Lyon.
Joseph, son of Joseph Jennings,

Jr.
Abigail, daughter of Sergt. Sam-
uel Barlow.
Daniel, son of Daniel Knap.
.Peter Sturgis and Hannah, his

wife.
Mary, wife of Mr. Daniel Burr

of Town.
Samuel and Jonathan, sons of

Peter Sturgis.
Hannah, daughter of Peter Stur-
gis.
Eunice, daughter of William

Lyon.
.Hannah, dauglitcr of .Abraham

Adams.
Hannah, daughter of Mr. John

Gold.
Robert, son of Robert Syllcman.

.\ug. 28, 1 7 16
Nov. 4, 1716
Nov. II, 1716

Jan. 20, 1716 17
Jan. 20, 1716-17

Feb. 17, 1716-17

March 3, 1716

March 10, 1716

March 31, 1716-

.April 21, 1717

May 12, 1717
May 26. 1717
June 2, J717

Juna 2, 1717

June 9, 1717
June 9, 1717

June 9. 1717.

June 30. 1717.

Aug. 4, 1717.

Sept. I, 1717.

Sept. I. 1717-

Sept. 8, 1717.

Sept. 29. 1717-
Oct. 6, 1717.
Nov. 3, 1717.

Nov. 10. 1717.

Nov. 17, 1717.
Nov. 17, 1717.

Dec. I, 1717.
Dec. 15, 1717.

Jan. 12, 1717-ig
Jan. ig, i7i7-i{

.Ephraim, son of John Morehouse.
...Albert, son of Mr. John Denny.
..Sarah, daughter of Thomas

.Sandford.
..Hannah, daughter of Ensign

Gideon .Allen.
..David, son of Henry Hendrick.
..Abigail, daughter of Joseph

Squire.
..Mary, daughter of Capt. John

Osborn.
..Martha, daughter of Jonathan

Middlebrook.
..Stephen, son of Capt. Jolin

Wakenian.
..John, son of Robert Turney, Jr.,

of Town.
..Margaret, daughter of Obadiah

Gilbert.
. .John, son of John Jennings.
..Samuel, son of Jacob .Sterling.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel

-Addams.
..Catherine, daughter of William

Hill.
..David, son of Joseph Beers.
..John, son of Nathaniel Wilson,

Jr.
..Jenny, negro girl belonging to

the Honorable Nathan Gold,

Esq., D. G.
..Jonathan, son of Sergt. Peter

Coly.
..Moses, son of Benjamin Gil-
bert.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin

Gruman.
. .Elnathan, son of .Sergt. Ezekiel

Sandford.
..Mary, negro maid-servant of Mr.

Daniel Burr of I'pper

Meadow.
..Rebecca, daughter of Moses

Knap.
..Mary, daughter of John W^inton.
..Andrew, son of Peter Bulkly, Jr.
..Dorothy, daughter of David Os-
born.
..Daniel, son of Mr. Joseph Gore-
ham.
..Stephen, son of Ebenezer Lyon.
..Dorothy, daughter of Joseph

Middlebrook.
..Mary, daughter of Mr. John

Denny and Mrs. Mary Denny,

his wife.
..Gershom, son of Samuel Thorp.
..John, son, and Hannah, daugh-
ter, of Samuel Whitlock.
..Sarah, daughter of Moses Ward.
..Nathan, son of Josepii Bulkly,

Jr.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 483

Feb. 2, 1717-18 Stephen, son of John Middle-
brook.

Feb. 9, 1717-18 Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel

Hull.
March 2, 1717-18. .John, son of Benjamin Banks.
March 16, 1717-18. .Nathaniel, son of Joseph Perry.
March 16, 1717-18. .Phebe, daiighter of Samuel

Bradly.
March 16, 1717-18. .Naomi, daughter of John Thorp,

Jr.
March 23, 1717-18. .Sarah, daughter of John Sylle-
man.

April 20, 1718 Thomas, son of Thomas Bagly.

April 27, 1718 Daniel, son of Mr. Samuel

Gold.

April 27, 1718 Samuel, son of William Hill, Jr.

.\pril 27, 1718 Ebenezer, son of Luke Guire.

May 18, 1718 Jonathan, son of Gershom

Bulkly.

]May 18, 1718 Joseph, son of Joseph Squire.

May 25, 1718 David, son of Joseph Banks.

June I, 1718 Sarah, daughter of Mr. John

Gold.

June I, 1718 Olive, daughter of Samuel Davis.

June 8, 1718 Samuel, son of James Beers.

June 15, 1718 Daniel, son of Daniel Bulkly.

July 20, 1718 Caleb, son of Samuel Lyon, Jr.

July 20, 1718 Nehemiah, son of John Jen-
nings.

Aug. 10, 1718 Daniel, son of Lieut. John

Wheeler.

Aug. 10, 1718 Sarah, daughter of Solomon

Foot.

Aug. 24, 1718 Ruth, daughter of Robert Sylle-

man.

Sept. 14, 1718 Hannah, daughter of Solomon

Foot.

Sept. 28, 1718 Joseph, son of Robert Rumsy.

Oct. 19, 1718 Susannah, wife of Sergt. Samuel

Lyon.

Oct. 19, 1718 Mary, wife of Samuel Lyon, his

son.
Oct. 19, 1718. ...Daniel, son of David Meeker.
Nov. 2, 1718 Anne, daughter of John More-
house.
Nov. 2, 1718 Mary, daughter of Samuel Bar-
low.

Nov. 30, 1718 Peter, son of Peter Mallery.

Nov. 30, 1718. .. .Eleanour, daughter of Ebenezer
Lyon.

Nov. 30, 1718 Ebenezer Lyon, son of John

Squire.

Jan. II, 1718-19 Martha, daughter of Jonathan

Middlebrook.

Jan. 25, 1718-19 Tabitha, daughter of Thomas

Sandford.
Feb. 6, 1718-ig... .Daniel, son of Peter Sturgis.

Feb. 8, 1718-19 David, son of David Addams.

March i, 1718-19.. David, son of Ensign Samuel

Barlow.
March i, 1718-19. .Abigail, daughter of Daniel
Knap.

March 8, 1718-19. .David, son of Mr. Daniel Burr

of Town.
March 8, 1718-19. .Nehemiah, son of David Stur-
gis.
March 22, 1718-19. .Jabez, son of Mr. Joseph Gore-
ham.
March 22, 1718-19. .Abigail, daughter of Joseph
Smith.

April 5, 1719 Sarah, daugher of Lemuel Price.

April 26, 1719 Abigail, daughter of Benjamin

Hill.
May 3, 1719 Joseph, son of Thomas Whit-
lock.

1719 Samuel, son of Joseph Perry.

June 21, 1719 Benjamin, son of Joseph Jen-
nings.

June 21, 1719 Abigail, daughter of Benjamin

Gilbert.

June 28, 1719 Moses, son of Moses Knap.

June 28, 1719 Ruth, daughter of Sergt. Ezekiel

Sr.ndford.
June 28, 1719 Sarah, daughter of John Bar-
tram, Jr.

June 28, 1719 Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph

Osbcrn.

July 19, 1719 Daniel, son of John Smith.

Sept. 6, 1719 Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas

Williams, Jr.

Sept. 20, 1719 Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel

Hull.

Nov. I, 1719 Eunice, daughter of David

Wheeler.
Nov. I, i7i9....Anne, daughter of Jno. Silleman.

Nov. 8, 1719 Hester, daughter of Mr. Samuel

Gold.

Nov. 8, 1719 Jabez, son of Samuel Barlow, Jr.

Nov. 22, 1719- •••Joseph, son of Joseph Bulkly.

Nov. 22, 1719 Daniel, son of Daniel Lyon.

Nov. 22, 1719 Sarah, daughter of Samuel Lyon,

son of Sergt Samuel Lyon.

Nov. 29, 1719 Daniel, son of Thomas Murw-n,

Jr.
Dec. 20, 1719.... Elizabeth, wife of Michael Jen-
nings.

Dec. 20, 1719 Hannah, daughter of Michael

Jennings.
Dec. 20, 1719-20.... Esther, daughter of Moses
Ward.

Dec. 20, 1719-20 Nathan, son of Mr. David

Thorp.
Feb. 14, 1719-20 Anne, daughter of Sergt. An-
drew Burr.

Feb. 28, 1719-20 Andrew, son of John Winton.

Feb. 28, 1719-20 Jabez, son of Daniel Bulkly.

Feb. 28, 1719-20 Johanna, daughter of Luke

Guire.
Feb. 28, 1719-20.... Anne, daughter of William Hill,

Jr.
March 6, 1719-20. .Joseph, son of Joseph Middle-
brook.
March 6, 1719-20.. Elizabeth, daughter of David
Sturgis.

•484

May I, 1720 —

May 1, 1720 —

May 8, 1720...

May 22, 1720....

May 29, 1720 —
June s, 1720 —

June s, 1720

June 26, 1720 —

June 26, 1720....

July 10, 1720

Aug. 21, 1720

Aug. 28, 1720....

Aug. 28, 1720

Sept n, 1720...
Sept. II, 1720...

Sept. 18, 1720...

Oct. 9. 1720...

Oct. 16, 1720

Jan. IS, 1720-21...

Jan. I, 1720-21

Jan. IS, 1720-21...
Jan. 22, 1720-21 —
Jan. 22, 1720-21...

Feb. s. 1720-21...

Feb. s, 1720-21...
Feb. 12, 1720-21...

Feb. 26, 1720-21...

March s. i72o-2>-

March 12, 1720-21.
March 19, 1720-21.

May 14. 1721. ..
May 14. 1721- ••

May 14, 1721...

May 28, 1721..
May 28, 1721..

June 4, 172'-

HISTORY OF

Sarah, daughter of David
Meeker.

Ruth, daughter of Nathaniel
Wilson, Jr.

Lemuel and Samuel, sons of
Lemuel Price.

Mary, daughter of Francis
Bradly.

John, son of Mr. John Gold.

Abigail, daughter of Mr.
Thomas Hill.

Sarah, daughter of Samuel Whit-
lock.

Thaddeus, son of Mr. Thomas
Hill.

David, son of Jno. Squire.

David Williams.

Hannah, daughter of Matthew
Jennings.

Ebenezer, son of John Gruman.

Ephraim, son of John Middle-
brook.

Obedience, daughter of Michael
Jennings.

Ebenezer, son of John Thorp.

Sarah, daughter of David Will-
iams.

Grizzel, daughter of Mr. John
Dennie.

Mindwell, daughter of Joseph
Banks.

Ebenezer, son of Jonathan Mid-
dlebrook.

, Lockwood, son of Joseph Gore-
ham.

Sarah, daughter of Daniel Lyon.

Thomas, son of John Green.

Zechariah, son of John Jennings.

.Tabitha, daughter of William
Lyon.

.Hannah, daughter of Sergt. Da-
vid Osborn.

.Nathan, son of Joseph Osborn.

.Grace, daughter of Gershom
Hulkly.

.Lydia, daughter of Theophilus
Hull.

.Elizabeth, daughter of David
and Mary Sturgls.

.David, son of David Meeker.

.Daniel, son of David Tompson
(Mr.).

.George, son of Lieut. Allen.

.Ebenezer, son of William Mal-
lery.

.Sarah, daughter of Samuel Da-
vis.

.Seth, son of Joseph Wheeler.

.Stephen, son of Robert Turney,
Jr.

.Abigail, daughter of George
Hull.

FAIRFIELD

June

1721..

.Hannah, daughter of Samuel
Lyon, Jr.

June

11,

1721..

.Anne, daughter of Samuel
Thorp.

June

18,

1721..

.Mary, daughter of Sergt. Peter
Coly.

July

1721..

.Martha, daughter of Daniel
Bulkly.

July

1721..

.Sarah, daughter of Benjamin
Gilbert.

July

16,

1721..

.Esther, daughter of Nathaniel
Hall.

July

31,

1721..

.Mary, daughter of Mr. Daniel
Burr of Town.

Aug.

13,

1721..

.Gershom, son of Peter Bulkly.

Aug.

20,

1721..

.Mary, daughter of Capt. John
Osborn.

Aug.

20,

1721..

.Anne, daughter of Daniel Knap.

Oct.

1721..

.Anne, daughter of Ensign Sam-
uel Barlow.

Oct.

1721..

.Anne, daughter of Robert
Rumsy.

Oct.

1721..

.Abigail, daughter of Joseph Jen-
nings, Jr.

Oct.

1721..

.Jehiel, son of John Smith.

Oct.

29,

1721..

.Michael, son of Joseph Perry.

Oct.

29,

1721..

.Thomas, son of Israel Rowland.

Oct.

29,

1721..

.Mary, daughter of Solomon
Foot.

Nov.

1721..

.Abigail, daughter of John Sylle-
man.

Dec.

17.

1721..

..Abigail, daughter of Moses
Ward.

Dec.

31.

1721..

.Jeremiah, son of Jeremiah Stur-

Jan. 2

I, 1721-22..

gis.
..Sarah, daughter of Thomas

Handford.

Jan. 2

% 1721-22..

..Abigail, daughter of Joseph

Beers.

Feb. I

8, 1721-22..

..Temperance, daughter of David

Wheeler.

Feb. 2S, 1721-22. .

..Joseph, son of Joseph Goreham.

Marcl

1721-22

..Deborah, daughter of John
Winton.

March

25.

1722..

..Mary, daughter of William Hill,

Jr.
..Hannah Grey, daughter of Jacob

April

1722. .

Grey.

April

'5.

1722..

. .Jabez, son of Lieut. Jno.
Wheeler.

April

29.

1722..

..Nehemiah, son of Mr. Thomas
Edwards.

April

29,

1722..

..Mary, daughter of Benjamin
Banks.

May

1722.

..Thaddeus, son of David Will-

May

27.

1722..

.. Nehemiah, son of Joseph Banks.

June

1722.

..Nathan, son of Lemuel Brice.

June

1722.

..Esther, daughter of Jeremiah
Sturgis.

July

1722..

..Benjamin, son of John Squire.

July

1722..

..Alexis, son of George Wood.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 485

July 8, 1722 David, son of Sergt. Andrew

Burr.

July 15, 1722 Mary Rowlandson and Elizabeth

Rowlandson.

July 29, 1722 Samuel, son of Samuel Whitlock.

Aug. s, 1722 Grace, daughter of Thomas Will-
iams, Jr.

Aug. 26, 1722 Rebecca, daughter of Samuel

Lyon, son of Sergeant Samuel
Lyon.

Oct. 7, 1722 Jane, daughter of Moses Dimon,

Jr.

Oct. 7, 1722 Joseph, son of Joseph Crane.

Nov. 4, 1722 John, son of Thomas Murwin, Jr.

Nov. II, 1722 James, son of Jno. Morehouse.

Nov. II, 1722 Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer Lyon.

Nov. II, 1722 Mary, daughter of Thomas Hill.

Nov. 18, 1722 Thaddeus, son of John Gilbert.

Dec. 2, 1722 Mary, daughter of James Beers.

Jan. 6, 1722-23 William Northrup.

Jan. 6, iy22-23 Daniel, son of Robert Silleman,

Jr.

Jan. 6, 1722-23 Anne, daughter of William

Northrop.

Feb. 3, 1722-23 Howes, son of Capt. John Os-

born.

Feb. 24, 1722-23 David, son of Mr. Jabez Gor-

ham.

April 14, 1723 Thaddeus, son of George Hull.

April 14, 1723 Peter, son of John Thorp.

April 14, 1723 Benjamin, son of Benjamin Gil-
bert.

April 14, 1723 Eunice, daughter of Daniel

Lyon.
May 12, 1723 David, son of Mr. David Thomp-
son.

May 26, 1723 Nathan, son of Jonathan Mid-

dlebrook.

May 26, 1723 Abigail, daughter of John

Wheeler, Jr. (Mr.).

June 2, 1723 Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

Davis.

June 2, 1723 Abigail, daughter of Richard

Hollingsworth.
June 16, 1723 Sarah, daughter of John Jen-
nings.

June 23, 1723 Phineas, son of William Lyon.

July 14, 1723 Moses, son of Josiah Gilbert.

Aug. 4, 1723 Jabez, son of Mr. Peter Bulkly,

Sr.

Aug. 25, 1723 Hannah, daughter of Jehu Burr.

Sept. I, 1723 Mehitabel, daughter of Sergt.

Seth Samuel Burr.

Sept. 15, 1723 Shubael, son of Mr. Joseph Gor-

ham.

Sept. 15, 1723 Daniel, son of Ebenezer Hull.

Sept. 22, 1723 Mary, daughter of Theophilus

Hull.

Oct. 6, 1723 Jane, daughter of Joseph Mid-

dlebrook.

Oct. 6, 1723 Patience, daughter of David

Wheeler.

Oct. 20, 1723 Lydia, daughter of William

Mallery.
Nov. 10, 1723 Benjamin, son of Joseph Jen-
nings, Jr.
Nov. 10, 1723 Mary, daughter of David

Meeker.
Nov. 24, 1723 Grizzel, daughter of Jonathan

Mallery.
Dec. I, 1723 Ebenezer, son of Francis

Bradly.

Dec. 22, 1723 Moses, son of Moses Ward.

Dec. 22, 1723 Daniel, son of Robert Rumsy.

Dec. 22, 1723 Jane, daughter of Peter Burr,

Jr.
Jan. 12, 1723-4 Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah

Sturgis.
Jan. 12, 1723-4 Abigail, daughter of Solomon

Foot.

Feb. 2, 1723-4 Nathan, son of Mr. John Gold.

Feb. 2, 1723-4 James, son of Mr. Isaac Free-

Feb. 2, 1723-4 Rebecca, daughter of INIr. Isaac

Freeman.

Feb. 23, 1723-4 Mary, daughter of Mr. John

Silleman.

March 8, 1723-4. .Grace, daughter of Peter Stur-
gis.

March 15, 1723-4. .Stephen, son of Samuel Lvon,
Jr.

May 24, 1724 Ebenezer, son of John Gilbert.

May 24, 1724 Grace, daughter of Ensign Sam-
uel Barlow.

May 24, 1724 Abigail, daughter of Mr. Samuel

Gold.
24, 1724 Sarah, daughter of David Thorn-

May
May
Tune

24, 1724 Deborah, daughter of John

Smith.

14, 1724 Martha, daughter of Daniel

Williams.

June 21, 1724 David, son of Samuel Whitlock.

June 21, 1724 David, son of John Winton.

June 21, 1724 Hannah, daughter of Joseph Os-

born.

June 21, 1724 Johannah, daughter of William

Northrop.

July 19. 1724 Sarah, daughter of Moses Di-
mon, Jr.

July 26, 1724 Andrew, son of Sergt. Andrew

Burr.

Aug. 2, 1724 Stephen, son of Nathaniel Hull.

.\ug. 2, 1724 Rachel, daughter of Samuel Da-
vis.

Aug. 9, 1724 Mary, daughter of Thomas Hill.

Aug. 9, 1724 Ebenezer, son of Daniel Knap.

Aug. 16, 1724. .. .Tamar, daughter of Thomas
Sandford.

Aug. 23, 1724 Talcott, son of Gershom Bulkly.

Oct. 4, 1724 Rebecca, daughter of Onesimus

Gold.

Oct. t8. 1724 Nchemiah, son of Eleazar Smith.

Oct. 25, 1724 Richard, son of Josiah Gilbert.

486

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Nov,

17-4

1, 1724
15. 1724

Nov,

Nov

Dec. 13, 1724

Jan. 10, 1724-5..,

Jan. 17, I724-S---
Jan. 17, 1724-5- •■
Jan. 31, 1724-5- ••

Jan. 31, I724-S---

Feb. 21, 1724-5...
March 7, 1724-5,

March 7, 1724-5.
March 14, 1724-5.
March 14. 1724-5
March 28, 1725...

April II, 1725...
April 25, 1725...
May 2, 1725- ••

June
June

July,
July,

;72S---

I, 1725...

12, 1725...

1725--

1725- •

31, 1725---

Dec. 26, 1725...

Jan. 2, 1725-6...

Jan. 9. 1725-6...
Jan. 9, 1725-6..,

Aug.
Sept.
Oct.,
Oct.,
Oct.

.Martha, wife of Nathan Hubbel.

.Deliverance, daughter of Mr.
Jeacocks.

.Nehemiah, son of Joseph Bar-
low.

.Nehemiah, son of Daniel
Bulkly.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan
Hubbel.

.Tony, negro servant of Mr. Al-
len, and also two of his chil-
dren, named Tamar; ye other
Margaret.

.Grace, daughter of David Os-
born.

.Ebenezer, son of Joseph Banks.

.Grace, daughter of Stephen Burr.

.Ichabod, son of Joseph Gore-
ham.

.Jemimah, daughter of Samuel
Thorp.

.Archibald, son of James Blair.

.Sarah, daughter of Jonathan
Middlebrook.

.Mary, daughter of Mary Sturgis.

.John, son of Jno. Wheeler, Jr.

.David, son of Eleazer Sturgis.

.Mary, daughter of Mr. Joseph
Perry.

.Hester, daughter of Jehu Burr.

.Nathan, son of Nathan Lyon.

.Thankful, daugiUer of Capt.
John Osborn.
Sarah, daughter of Mr. John

Denny.
A son of Jonathan Mallery.

.Abigail Meeker, daughter of
David Meeker.

.Ebenezer, son of Mr. Ebenezer
Wakeman.

.Olive, daughter of Peter Bulkly.

.Benjamin, son of Samuel Os-
born, Jr.

.Anne, daughter of John Jen-
nings.

.Benoni, son of Catherine Gil-
bert.

, .Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel
Wilson, Jr.

, .Jabez, son of Jabez Goreham
(Mr.).

.Daniel, son of Mr. Samuel Os-
born.

. Silvanus, son of Abraham More-
house.

.Ellen, daughter of Francis
Bradly.

.Hezekiah, son of Solomon Stur-
gis.

.Peter Thorp.

.Edmund, son of Mr. Isaac
Freeman.

Jan. 9, 1725-6 William, son of Peter Thorp.

Jan. 23, 1725-6 Jonathan Beebee.

Feb. 6, 1-^5-6 Seth, son of Sergt. Samuel Burr.

Feb. 6, 1725-6 Herodias, daughter of William

Northrop.

Feb. 20, 1725-6 Joseph Burr.

Feb 25, 1725-6 Hannah, daughter of Sergt. John

Squire.

Feb. 20, 1725-6 Sarah, daughter of Benjamin

Sherwood, Jr.

March 6, 1725-6. .Ichabod, son of Lieut. Jno.
Wheeler.

March 6, 1725-6. .Samuel, son of Joseph Bulkly.

March 13, 1725-6. .Nehemiah, son of Joseph Sand-
ford.

March 13, 1725-6. .Thaddeus, son of Nathan Hub-
bel.

March 20, 1725-6. .Sarah, daughter of William Jea-
cocks.

March 27, 1726 Sarah, daughter of James Red-
field.

April 10,1726 Robert Rumsy.

April 10, 1726 Anne, daughter of Peter Burr.

April 24, 1726 Sarah and Abigail, daughters of

Joseph Rowland.

April 24, 1726 Elizabeth, daughter of j\lr. John

Gold.

]\Iay 15, 1726 Sarah, daughter of Peter Stur-
gis.

May 15, 1726 John, son of John Olmstead.

May 15, 1726 Abigail, daughter of David Og-

den.

June 12, 1-26 Hannah, daughter of James

Beers.

June 26, T726 Thaddeus, son of Thomas Sta-
ples.

June 26, 1726 Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. An-
drew Burr.

Aug. 20, 1726 Richard Lyon.

Sept. 4, 1726 Jonathan and David, sons of

Jonathan Beebee.

Sept. 4, 1726 Samuel, son, and Hannah,

daughter, of Jonathan Beebee.
.Archibald, son of James Blair.
.Catee, daughter of Mr. Nathan

Gold.
.Dorcas, daughter of Mr. Allen's

negro man, Tony.
.Hannah, daughter of Peter

Bulkly.
.William, son of Mr. John

Denny.
.Shubael, son of Mr. Joseph Gore-
ham.
.Seth, son of Mr. Samuel Mur-

win.
.Joseph, /;on of Joseph Frost.
.Dorcas, daughter of Mary, negro
servant to Mr. Robert Sille-
man.

Jan. 8, 1726-7 Thaddeus, son of Sergt. Samuel

Osborn.

Sept.

1726. .
25, 1726..

Oct.

9, 1726..

Oct.

16, 1726..

Oct. 23. 1726...

Nov.

1726..

Nov.

1726..

Nov.

i.r

1726..

Dec.

18,

1726..

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 487

Jan. 8, 1726-7 Daniel, son of Stephen More-
house.

I\Iarch 26, 1727 Naomi, daughter of Benjamin

Williams.

May 28, 1727 Elizabeth, daughter of Capt.

John Osborn.

May 28, 1727 David, son of John Winton.

May 28, 1727 Nathan, son of Nathan Ilubbell.

June 23, 1727 David, son of David Ogden.

July 2, 1727 David, son of David Wheeler.

July 9, 1727 Moses, son of Peter Bulkly.

July 16, 1727 Hester, daughter of John Jen-
nings.

July 23, 1727 Ephraim and Robert, sons of

widow Abigail Meeker.

Aug. 6, 1727 David, son of Mr. David Os-
born.

Sept. 17, 1727 Abel, son of Mr. Samuel Gold.

Sept. 24, 1727 Samuel, son of Seth Samuel

Burr.

Sept. 24, 1727 Ruth, daughter of Mr. Nathan-
iel Burr.

Oct. IS, 1727 Elnathan, son of Joseph Sand-
ford.

Oct. 22, 1727 Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah

Jennings.

Nov. 26, 1727. .. .Abraham, son of Martha
Patchin.

Dec. 10, 1727 Thomas, son of John Bedient.

Dec. 10, 1727 Mary, daughter of John Bedient.

Dec. 10, 1727 Jerusha, daughter of Solomon

Sturgis.

Jan. 7, 1727-8. .. .Seth, son of Samuel Osborn, Jr.

Feb. 4, 1727-8 Anne, daughter of Mr. Nathan

Gold.

Feb. 4, 1727-8 Jabez, son of Peter Thorp.

March 10, 1727-8. .Ichabod, son of Samuel Sand-
ford.

March 10, 1727-8. .Ebenezer, son of Mr. Ephraim
Burr.

March 10, 1727-8.. Sarah, daughter of Mr. Joseph
Perry.

March 17, 1727-8. .Sarah, daughter of Stephen
Wakeman.

March 24, 1727-S. .Eunice, daughter of Mr. Samuel
Osborn.

March 31, 1728 Hannah, daughter of Robert

Rumsy.

March 31, 1728 Elizabeth, daughter of Jabez

Wakeman.

April 28, 1728 Abigail, daughter of Mr. Joseph

Goreham.

May 5, 1728 Thomas, son of Mr. John

Denny.

May 12, 1728 John, son of Mr. Jabez Goreham.

June 9, 1728 Lucretia, daughter of Mr. An-
drew Burr.

June 16, 1728 Elizabeth, daughter of John

Squire.

July 7, 1728 James, son of James Beers.

July 21, 1728 Abigail, daughter of Mr. Peter

Sturgis.

July 21, 1728 Hester, daughter of Sergt. John

Diinon.

Sept. I, 1728 Talcot, son of John Gold.

Sept. IS, 1728 Jonathan, son of Mr. Lothrop

Lewis.

Oct. 13, 1728. .. .David, son of Samuel Murwin.

Nov. 10, 1728 James, son of Mr. Isaac Free-
man.

Nov. 17, 1728 Daniel, son of Jonathan Beebee.

Nov. 24, 1728 Abigail, daughter of James Red-
field.

Dec. 8, 1728 Sarah, daughter of John Osborn.

Jan. s, 1728-9 Elizabeth, daughter of Gershom

Morehouse.

Feb. 16, 1728-9 Sarah, daughter of Mr. Thomas

Handford.

Feb. 2$, 1728-9 Zerviah, daughter of Mr. Wil-
liam Jeacocks.

Feb. 23, 1728-9 Sarah, daughter of Mr. Joseph

Bulkly.

Feb. 23, 1728-9 Joseph, son of Ebenezer Bar-
tram.

March 16, 1728-9. .Jabez, son of Daniel Bulkly.

March 23, 1729 Andrew, son of Joseph Jennings.

April 13, 1729. .. .Abigail, daughter of Mr. Peter
Bulkly.

April 20, 1729 Sarah, daughter of Mr. Nathan-
iel Burr.

May 18, 1729. .. .Jane, daughter of Solomon Stur-
gis.

June 8, 1729 John, son of Lieut. John

Wheeler.

June 22, 1729 John, son of John Bedient.

July 20, 1729 Gershom, son of Nathan Hubbel.

Aug. 3, 1729 James, son of Mr. Peter Bulkly.

Aug. 3, 1729 Nehemiah, son of John Jen-
nings.

Aug. 17, 1729 Hannah, daughter of William

Hill, Jr.

Sept. 7, 1729 Grizzel, daughter of Mr. Peter

Thorp.

Sept. 14, 1729 Abigail, daughter of Isaac Jen-
nings (Mr.).

Oct. 5, 1729 Abigail, daughter of Mr. Samuel

Osborn.

Nov. 2, 1729 Mary Silleman and Deborah Sil-

leman, daughters of Capt. Os-
born's present wife.

Nov. 23, 1729 Hannah, daughter of Abraham

Morehouse.

Sept. 30, 1729 Isaac, son of Mr. Joseph Gor-

ham.

Dec. 21, 1729 Jonathan, son of James Rowland

(Mr.).

Jan. II, 1729-30 David, son of Mr. James Red-
field.

Jan. 2S, 1729-30 David, son of Mr. Stephen

Wakeman.

Feb. I, 1729-30 Sarah, daughter of Joshua Jea-

cock.

Feb. 8, 1729-30 Eunice, daughter of Mr.

Ephraim Burr.

488

Feb. IS, 1729-30..
Feb. 22, 1729-30..
Feb. 22, 1729-30.
April 5, 1730..
April 19, 1730- ■
May 24, 1730...

July 12, 1730..

July 12. 1730..
July 26, 1730- •

Aug. 9, 1730..

Aug. 16, 1730..
Aug. 16, 1730..

Aug. 23, 1730..

Sept. 13, 1730..

Sept. 27, 1730..

Oct. II, 1730.-

Oct. 18, 1730..

Dec. 6, 1730- •

Jan. 10, 1730-1..

Feb. 28, 1 730- 1..
Feb. 28, 1 730- 1. .

March 14, 1730-:

April 4, 1731..

April 25, 1731..

May 16, 1731.

June 6, 1731.

June 13, 1731.

June 27, 1731.

HISTORY OF

..Jenny, negro child, belonging to

Thomas Murwin, Jr.
..Phebe, daughter of Mr. Joseph

Sandford.
...Abigail, daughter of Mr. David

Ogden.
..William, son of Mr. Jabez Wake-
man.
. . Nathan, son of Mr. Robert

Rumsy.
.Mary, daughter of Andrew Burr,

Esq.
Nathan, son, and Martha,

daughter, of Mr. Nathan Gold.
..Daniel, son of Mr. Scth Samuel

Burr.
. .Phillis, my negro girl.
..David, son of Mr. Isaac Free-
man.
..Abigail and Lydia, daughters of

Mr. Samuel Murwin.
..John, son of Mr. John Dimon.
..Rebecca, daughter of Mr. Joseph

Downs.
..Mary, daughter of Mr. Jeremiah

Jennings.
..Martha, daughter of Capt. John

O shorn.
..Plymouth and Peggy, negro

servants of Mr. Daniel Wilson.
..Thomas, son of Mr. John Den-

nie.
..Abraham, son of IVIr. Samuel

Gold.
..Joseph, son of Mr. Edward Bud-

dington and Martha, his wife.
..Ebenezer, son of Mr. Ebenezer

Dimon and Mrs. Mary Dimon,

his wife.
..Nathan, son of Mr. John Squire.
..Eunice, daughter of Solomon

Sturgis.
..Isabel, daughter of Mr. Samuel

Osborn.
..Abigail, daughter of Mr. James |

Beers.
..Rachel, daughter of Mr. Jona-
than Beebee.
..Anne, daughter of Mr. Peter

Sturgis.
..Mary, daughter of Mr. Peter

Pen field.
. .Bethyah, daughter of Mr. Mer-

wine.
..Mary, daughter of Mr. John

Gold.
, . . Ilczekiah, son of Lemuel .Sand-
ford.
...Dorothy, daughter of Solomon

Foot.
...Dinah, a negro girl, belonging
to Mr. Ebenezer Bartram.

FAIRFIELD

July

I73I--

July

I73I--

July

I73I--

July

I731--

July

18.

I73I--

Aug.

29,

I73I--

Aug.

29,

I73I--

Sept.

26,

I73I--

Oct.

17.

I73I--

Oct.

24.

I73I--

Nov.

14,

1731 ••

Nov.

28,

■73I--

Dec. 19, 1731..
Dec. 26, 1 73 1..

Jan. 2, 1731-2...
Jan. 16, 1731-2..

Jan. 30, 1731-2...

Feb. 13, 1721-2..

Feb. 27, 1731-2..

March 12, 1731-2
March 12, 1731-2

April

2, 1732

.\pril 16. 1732..

.\pril 16, 1732..

.\pril 30, 1732..

May 14. 1732..

May 14, 1732.

May 28. 1732..

June .8, 1732.

June 18, 1732.

.Eunice and Grissel, daughters of
Joseph Frost.

.Hannah, daughter of Ebenezer
Bartram.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim
Sandford.

.Jenny, negro child of Mr. Jo-
seph Perry's.

.Lewis, son of Mr. Zechariah .

.Sturges, son of Mr. Lathrop
Lewis.

.Dinah, Mr. John Dennie's negro
woman.

.Ephraim, son of Mr. John Jen-
nings.

.Mary, daughter of Mr. Peter
Bulkly.

.John, .son of Mr. David Bar-
tram.

.Hannah Burr.

.Grace, daughter of Joseph Sher-
wood.

...Ebenezer, son of Mr. Joseph
Bulkly.

.Peter, son of :Mr. Peter Thorp.

.Ruth, daughter of ^Ir. Gershom
Morehouse.

.Seth, son of Isaac Jennings, Jr.

.Jane, daughter of Mr. James
Redf^eld.

.Anne, daughter of Mr. Ephraim
Burr.

.Harry, son of Mr. Allen's negro
man, Tony.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. John
Bedient.

.John, son of Andrew Burr, Esq.

..Hester, daughter of Mr. Joseph
Perry.

.Sarah, Abigail and Elizabeth,
daughters of Mr. Joseph and
Mrs. Abigail Wilson.

.Thomas, son of Mr. John Di-

. Daniel, son of Mr. Stephen

Wakeman.
.Sarah, daughter of Mr. Jabez

Wakeman.
.Daniel, son of Abraham More-
house.

..Abraham, son of Mr. Samuel
Gold.

..Gold Sellick, son of Mr. Eben-
ezer Silliman.

..Sarah, daughter of Mr. Isaac
Jennings, Sr.

. .Bcttec, daughter of Joshua Jea-
cock.

..Ebenezer, son of Mr. Ebenezer
Bartram.

..Sarah, daughter of Mr. Thomas
Staples, Jr.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 489

May

July 16, 1732 John, son of Mr. Joseph Goreham.

July 16, 1732 Anne, daughter of Mr. Joseph

Wilson.

July 30, 1732 James, son of Joseph Smedly.

Aug. 13, 1732 Samuel, son of Mr. Samuel Mur-

win.
Sept. 24, 1732 Nathan, son of Nathaniel and

Martha Burr.
Jonathan, son of Peter P.ulkly.
Ebenezer, son of Samuel Burr.
James, son of Peter Penf^eld.
Grissel, daughter of Joseph

Frost.

Feb. I, 1732-3 Abigail, daughter of Ebenezer

and Mary Dimon.
Feb. I, 1732-3 William, son of Edward and

Martha Buddington.

Feb. I, 1732-3 Tony, a negro child, son of

Tongy, servant to Mr. Gideon

Allen.
April I, 1733 Sarah, daughter of Solomon and

Abigail S^urgis.
April, 1733 Abigail, daughter of John and

Sarah Dennie.
April 15, 1733 Joseph, son of Samuel and Han-
nah Osborn.
May 27, 1733 Grace, daughter of James and

Mary Rowland.
July, 1733 Mary, daughter of Joseph and

Jerusha Bradly.
July 29, 1733 Hannah, daughter of John and

Experience Norris.
Aug. 19. 1733 Moses, son of Isaac and Pbebe

Jennings.
Sept. 16, 1733 Joshua, son of Jonathan and

Hannah Beebee.
Oct. 7, 1733 Hezekiah, son of John and Sa-
rah Jennings.
Oct. 7, 1733 Hezekiah, son of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.
Oct. 14, 1733 Peter, son of Benjamin and Eu-
nice Wynkoop.
Oct. 21, 1733 Eliezer, son of Joseph and Sa-
rah Sherwood.
Oct., 1733 Parrot, a negro child, belonging

to Ebenezer Bartram.
Nov. II, 1733. .. .Thankful, daughter of Andrew.

and Coley.

Nov. 17, 1733 William, son of James and Jane

Smedly.
Nov. 25, 1733 Hannah, daughter of David and

Mehitabel Bartram.
Dec. 23, 1733 John, son of James and Mary

Redf^eld.
Dec. 23, 1733.. Isaac, son of Nathaniel and Mary

Burr.
Feb. 24, 1733-4 Ellen, daughter of Ephraim and

Abigail Burr.
April 21, 1734 David, son of John and Damaris

Grummons.
May 6, 1734. .. .Susanna, daughter of Andrew

and Sarah Burr.

S. 1734-

Nehemiah, son of Samuel and
Elizabeth Burr.
May 26, 1734 Ann, daughter of John and Eliz-
abeth Dimon.

June 9, 1734 Mary, daughter of John and

Mary Dunking.

July 7, 1734 Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and

Abigail Silliman.
July 21, 1734 Seth, son of Abraham and Eliza-
beth .

Aug., 1734 William, son of Peter and Sarah

Thorp.

Aug., 1734 Caesar, a negro servant to Mr.

John Dennie.
Aug. 25, 1734 Sarah, daughter of Thomas and

Mary Hill.
Oct. 20, 1734 Nathan, son of James and Olive

Beers.
Nov. 3, 1734 Samuel, son of Joseph and Abi-
gail Wilson.
Nov. 3, 1734 Elizabeth, daughter of Toney,

Mr. Allen's negro.
Nov. 19, 1734 Jeremiah, son of Samuel and

Hannah Osborn.
Nov. 19, 1734 John, son of James and Jane

Smedly.
Dec. 8, 1734 Jabez, son of Jabez and Ruth

Wakeman.
Dec. 8, 1734 Samuel, son of Peter and Mary

Penfield.
Dec. 15, 1734. .. .Rebecca Jennings.
Dec. 15, 1734 Elizabeth, daughter of Solomon

and .Abigail Sturges.
Dec. 15, 1734 John, Andrew and Samuel, sons

of John and Phebe Hendrick.

Jan. 5, 1734-5 Jerusha Rowel.

Jan. 26, 1734-5 Sarah, daughter of John and

Phebe Hendrick.
Jan. 26, 1734-S Nehemiah, son of Edward and

Afartha Buddington.
Feb. 23, 1734-S Eunice, daughter of Stephen and

Relgna Wakeman.
Feb. 24, 1734-5. ... I-'lizabeth, daughter of Daniel

and Hannah Jennings.
March 7, 1734-5. .Daniel and Matthew, sons of

Daniel and Hannah Jennings.
March 30, 1735 Job, son of Ebenezer and Eliza-
beth Bartram.
April 6, 1735 Michael and Sarah, children of

Daniel and Hannah Jennings.
April 6, 1735 Azariah and Adoniram, sons of

John and Mary Bedient.
April 27, 1735 Deborah, daughter of Ebenezer

and Mary Dimon.
May 25, 1735 David, son of David and Mchit-

bel Bartram.
June 29, 1735 Sarah, daughter of Lothrop and

Sarah I>cwes.
July 23, 1735 Mary, daughter of Samuel and

Abigail Murwin.
Sept. 21, 1735 Jonathan, son of David and Abi-
gail Ogden.

490

Sept. 21, 1735- ••

Sept. 21, 1735...

Nov. 21, 1735- •■

Nov. 9, 1735- ••

Nov. 10, 1735- ••

Nov. 30, 1735...

Dec. 14, 1735- •■

Dec. 14, 1735- ••

Dec. 28, 1733- ■•

Jan. 4, 1735-6...

Jan. 12, 1735-6...

Jan. 18, 1735-6. . .

Jan. 25, 1735-6...

March 14, 1735-6.

Llarch 21, 1735-6.

March 21, 1735-6.

April II, 1736...

J^Iay 9. 1736...

May 9, 1736...

May 23. 1736...

May 30, 1736...

July 4, 1736...

July ir, 1736...

July 25, 1736...

Aug. 8, 1736...

Aug. II, 1736...

Sept. 12, 1736...

Oct. 17, 1736...

Oct. 31, 1736...

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

.Katherine, daughter of Benja-
min and Eunice W'ynkoop.

.Margaret, daughter of Abigail
Co-sier.

. I'hillis, .servant to Nathan Gold.

. Scth, son of John and Martha
Bulkley.

.Isaac, son of David and Sarah
Bulkley.

.Levi, son of Isaac and Phcbe

.Abel, son of John and Sarah

Jennings.
.Thomas, son of Thomas and

Deborah Staples.
.Sarah, daughter of Peter and

Sarah Thorp.
.Joseph, son of Joseph and Sa-
rah Sherwood.
.Jedediah, son of John and Da-

maris Grummond.
.Ellen, daughter of Samuel and

Elizabeth Burr.
.Deborah Craine and Sarah

Craine.
.James, son of James and !Mary

Redf^eld.
.Ephraim, son of Ephraim and

Abigail Burr.
.Ellen, daughter of Peter and

Hannah Sturgis.
.Ruth, daughter of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.
.Ned, a negro servant to Mr.

John Dennie.
.Grace, daughter of John and

Elizabeth Dinion.
.Rebecca, daughter of Nathaniel

and Martha Burr.
.Reuben, son of Jonathan and

Katherine Osborn.
.Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel

and Knap.

.George, son of Andrew and Sa-
rah Burr.
.Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan

and Hannah Hebee.
.Mordecai, son of John and Mary

Bedient.
■ Sarah, daughter of John and Ex-
perience Norris.
.Hester, daughter of John and

Hester Hills.
.John, son of John and Mary

Dunting.
.Mary, daughter of Samuel and

Hannah t)sborn.
.Paul, son of David and Mchita-

bel Bartram.
.Aurelia, daughter of Ebenezer

and Abigail Silliman.
.Joseph, son of Abigail Barlow.

April

April 3, 1737
May 8, 1737

May
May
May
June

22, 1737

^2, 1737

29. 1737

5. 1737

June 26, 1737

July

1737-

July

I-37-

July

1737-

July

.7.

1737-

Aug.

14.

1737-

Aug.

28,

1737-

Sept.

25.

1737-

Oct.

16,

1737-

Oct.

16,

1737-

Oct.

^3.

737- •

Nov.

1737.

Dec.

II,

1737-

Jan.

', I

737-8.

Jan.

5, I

737-8.

March

1737

March

I".

■738.

April

1738.

April

^X-

1738.

April

-:3.

1738.

May

1738.

May

.738.

May

21,

1738.

May

28.

1738.

May

28,

1738.

. .Joseph, son of Jabez and Ruth

Wakeman.
..Esther Whitehead.
..Hannah, daughter of Joseph and

Deborah Gorham.
..Peter, son of John and Phebe

Hendrick.
..Andrew, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Rowland.
. .Floro, a negro child, servant to

Samuel Osborn, Jr.
..Andrew, son of Deborah Lyon.
..Mary, daughter of Ebenezer and

Mary Dimon.
..Eulalia, daughter of Ebenezer

and Elizabeth Bartram.
..Abigail, daughter of James and

Jane Smedly.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan

and Rebecca Middlebrook.
...-\nn, daughter of Jacob and

Ann Caldwell.
. .John, son of John and Mary

Morehouse.
..Annie, daughter of David and

Sarah Bulkley.
..Hannah, daughter of Peter and

Sarah Thorp.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Elizabeth Burr.
..Lucretia, daughter of Isaac and

Phebe Jennings.
.John, son of Thomas and Debo-
rah Staples.
..Hannah, daughter of Peter and

Mary Penfield.
..Rebecca, daughter of John and

Martha Bulkley.
..Deborah, daughter of James and

Deborah Burr.
..Mordecai, son of John and Mary

Bedient.
3..IIezekiah, son of Nathaniel and

Mary Burr.
..Sarah, daughter of Gershom and

Sarah Whitehead.
..Ebenezer, son of Joseph and

Mary Perry.
..Ellen, daughter of Samuel and

Hannah Osborn.
..James, son of David and Me-

hitabel Bartram.
..John Sloss, son of Noah and

Ellen Hobart.
..Ruth, daughter of Jerusha

Rowel.
..William, son of Charles and Ra-
chel Lewis.
..Ebenezer, son of E|)hraim and

Abigail Burr.
..Margaret, daughter of Hugh and

Ann McRaa.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 491

June 4, 1738 Jonathan, son of Jonathan and

Katharine Osborn.

June 4, 1738.... Toby and Zabina, two negro chil-
dren, servants to Samuel Gold.

June 18, 1738 Jemima, daughter of John and

Jemima Gold.

June 27, 1738 Tom, a negro child, servant to

Mr. Jabez Wakeman.

July 2, 1738 Joseph, son of Solomon and Abi-
gail Sturges.

July 2, 1738 Squire, son of Stephen and Re-
becca Wakeman.

July s, 173S Mary, daughter of Thomas and

Deborah Staples.

July 16. 1738 Josiah, son of Andrew and

Sarah Burr.

July 16, 1738 Irene, daughter of Edward and

Martha Buddington.

Aug. 6, 1738 Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.

Oct. 8, 1738 Stephen, son of John and Ex-
perience Norris.

Oct. 8, 1738 Grace, daughter of Samuel and

Abigail Rowland.

Nov. 5, 1738 Elizabeth, daughter of John and

Elizabeth Dimon.

Nov. 12, 1738 Thomas, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Murwin.

Nov. 12, 1738 Gershom, son of Daniel and

Hannah Jennings.

Nov. 18, 1738 Anna, daughter of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.

Jan. 23, 1738-9 Mary, daughter of Samuel and

Elizabeth Sturges.

Feb. 4, 1738-9 Stratten, son of James and Deb-
orah Burr.

Feb. 4, 1738-9 Peter, son of Joseph and Sarah

Perry.

March 4, 1738-9. .Ebenezer, son of James and
Mary Redfield.

March 4. 1738-9. .Jehiel, son of Joseph and Sarah
Sherwood.

March 4. 173S-9. .Ellen, daughter of Jonathan and
Rebecca Middlebrook.

March 18, 1738-9. .Hezekiah, son of Ebenezer and
Abigail Silliman.

March 18, 1738-9. .Stephen, son of John and
Thankful Osborn.

March 18, 17389. .Abigail, daughter of Samuel and
Elizabeth Burr.

March 18, 1738-9. .Jabez, son of David and Martha
Hubbel.

March iS, 1739 Sarah, daughter of David and

Martha Hubbel.

April I, 1739 Lois, daughter of Abraham and

Elizabeth Morehouse.

April 8, 1739 Eunice, daughter of Benjamin

and Eunice Wynkoop.

April 22, 1739 Eleazar, son of Eleazar and Han-
nah Osborn.

April 22, 1739 Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Abigail Gold.

April 29, 1739 Mary, daughter of Zachariah

and Elizabeth BosLwick.
May 13, 1739 Jabez, son of Jabez and Ruth

Wakeman.
June 17, 1739 Uriah, son of John and Mary

Morehouse.
June 17, 1739 Ruhamah, daughter of Thomas

and Deborah Staples.
June 24, 1739 William, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Dimon.
July I, 1739 James, son of James and Jane

Smedly.
Aug. 12, 1739 Martha, daughter of Samuel and

Hannah Osborn.
Aug. 18, 1739 Sambo,- a negro child, servant to

Thomas Staples, Jr.
Sept. 9, 1739 Eben, son of Charles and Rachel

Lewis.
Sept. 30, 1739 Barnabas, son of Ebenezer and

Elizabeth Bartram.
Oct. 28, 1739 Andrew, son of Thomas and

Mary Hill.
Oct. 28, 1739 Phebe, daughter of John and

Phebe Hendrick.
Dec. 9, 1739 Jacob, son of Isaac and Phebe

Jennings.
Dec. 30, 1739 Mary, daughter of Joseph and

Deborah Gorham.
March 9, 1739-40. .Elizabeth, daughter of Solomon

and Abigail Sturges.
March 23, 1739-40. .Rebecca, daughter of John and

Martha Bulkly.
April 20, 1740 Benjamin, son of James and

Deborah Burr.
May 18, 1740 Hezekiah, son of Michael and

Abiah Middlebrook.
May 25, 1740 Sarah, daughter of Peter and

Mary Penfield.
une 15, 1740 Martha and Mary, daughters of

Nathaniel and Martha Burr.
une 22, 1740 Hannah, daughter of Joseph and

Abigail Gold.
une 29, 1740 Aaron, son of Jonathan and

Katherine Osborn.
uly 27, 1740 Andrew, son of Abraham and

Elizabeth Morehouse.
uly 27, 1740. .. .Eunice, daughter of John and

Mary Bedient.
\ug. 24, 1740 Jonathan, son of Samuel and

Anne Sturgis.
Sept. 21, 1740 Jeremiah, son of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.
Sept. 21, 1740 Rhode, daughter of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.
Oct. s, 1740 Eunice, daughter of David and

Sarah Bulkier.
Oct. 13, 1740 Sarah, daughter of David and

Sarah Allen.
Nov. 30, 1740. .. .Eunice, daughter of Abigail

Craine.
Dec. 14, 1740 Grace, daughter of Edward and

Martha Buddington.

492

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Jan. 25, 1740-1 Stephen, son of Stephen and Re-
becca Wakeman.

Jan. 25, 1740-1 Isaac, son of David and Mehita-

bel Bartram.

Feb. 22, 1740-1 Abigail, daughter of Ephraim

and Abigail Burr.
March 6, 1740-1. .Samuel, son of Thomas and

Deborah Staples.
March 15, 1740-1. .Walter, son of Andrew and Sa-
rah Burr.
March 29, 1741 Samuel, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Osborn.

April 26, 1741 John Silliman, son of Daniel and

Sarah Andrews.

April 26, 1741 Joseph, son of Joseph and Sarah

Perry.

April 26, 1741. .. .Abigail, daughter of John and
Elizabeth Dimon.

May 3, 1741 Sibyl, daughter of John and Ex-
perience Norris.

May IS, 1741 John, son of John and Esther

Hill.

May 31, 1741 Sarah, daughter of Eleazar and

Hannah Osborn.

June 14, 1741 Daniel Squire.

July 15, 1741 Rachel, daughter of John and

Esther Hill.

Aug. 9, 1741 Michael, son of Michael and |

Abiah Middlebrook.

Aug. 23, 1741 David, son of Ebenezer and Mary

Dimon.

Sept. 3, 1741 Charles, son of Samuel and Eliz-
abeth Burr.

Sept. 27, 1741 Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and

Sarah Bulkley.

Oct. 4, 1741 Abigail, wife of Samuel Hubbel.

Oct. 4, 1741 Isaac, son of Samuel Hubbel.

Oct. 4, 1741 Mary, daughter of Samuel and

Abigail Hubbel.

Oct. 4, 1741 Ann, daughter of David and Sa-
rah Allen.

Oct. 4, 1741 Mary, daughter of John and

Mary Morehouse.

Oct. 18, 1741 Ellen, daughter of Noah and El-
len Hobart.

Nov. 1, 1741 Thankfull, daughter of Nathan-
iel and Mary Perry.

Nov. 15, 1741 Andrew, son of Samuel and Ann

Sturgis.

Nov. 22, 1741 Grissel, daughter of Nathaniel

and Mary Burr.

Nov. 22, 1741 Noah, son of James and Deborah

Burr.

Dec. 27, 1741 Aaron, son of David and Martha

Hubbel.

Jan. 17, 1741-2 Sarah, daughter of Charles and

Rachel Lewis.

Jan. 24, 1741-2 Ciilcad, son of John and Mary

Bcdient.

Jan. 31, 1741-2 Rebecca Squire.

Feb. 12, 1741-2 Anron, son of Joseph and Debo-
rah Jackson.

Feb. 21, 1741-2 Samuel Sterling.

Feb. 21, 1741-2 Lydia, daughter of Peter and

Mary Penfield.

Feb. 21, 1741-2 Nathan, son of John and Esther

Hill.

Feb. 21, 1741-2 Esther, daughter of John and

Esther Hill.
March 14, 1741-2. .Martha, daughter of John and

Martha Bulkley.
April 25, 1742 James, son of Robert and Cath-
erine Wilson.

May 16, 1742 Catherine, daughter of Samuel

and Ruth Wakeman.

May 16, 1742 Hannah, daughter of Samuel and

Ruth Wakeman.

June 6, 1742 Sarah, daughter of David and

Sarah Bulkly.
June 13, 1742 David, son of Stephen and Han-
nah Jennings.

July 25, 1742 Pompey, servant to Mr. James

Dennie.

Sept. 5, 1742 Jonathan, son of Ebenezer and

Abigail Silliman.

Sept. 12, 1742 Abigail, daughter of John and

Sarah Squire.

Sept. 19, 1742 Seth, David, Joanna, Elizabeth

and Eunice, children of John
and Mary Smith.

Sept. 20, 1742 Ann, daughter of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.

Sept. 26, 1742 Sarah, daughter of Andrew and

Sarah Burr.

Sept. 26, 1742 Hugh, son of Hugh and Ann

McRaa.

Sept. 26, 1742 Eunice, daughter of Joseph and

Adria Frost.

Sept. 26, 1742 Dinah, a negro child, servant to

Mr. Nathan Gold.

Oct. 24, 1742 Mary, daughter of Thomas and

Deborah Staples.

Nov. 21, 1742 Deborah, daughter of Lothrop

and Sarah Lewis.
Feb. 27, 1742-3. .. .Abigail, daughter of Samuel and

Abigail Rowland.
March 20, 1742-3. .James, son of Stephen and

Rebecca Wakeman.
March 27, 1743 Ebenezer, son of James and Sa-
rah Redfickl.

April 24, 1743 Andrew, son of Peter and Sarah

Thorp.

May 15. 1743 Mary, daughter of Samuel and

Ruth Wakeman.
June 12, 1743 Peter, son of Jeremiah and Eliz-
abeth Jennings.

June 19, 1743 Noah, son of Noah and Ellen

Hobart.
June 19. 1743. .. .Eunice, daughter of Robert and

Catherine Wilson.
July 3. 1743 William, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Ilubbel.

July 10, 1743 Eunice, daughter of Joseph and

Deborah Jackson.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 493

July 24, 1743. .. .David, son of David and Catee

Leavitt.
July 31, 1743 Sarah, daughter of Ephraim and

Abigail Burr.
July 31, 1743 James, son of James and Debo-
rah Burr.
Sept. II, 1743 Samuel, son of Michael and

Abiah Middlebrook.
Sept. II, 1743. .. .David, son of Eleazar and Han-
nah Osborn.
Sept. II, 1743 Mary, daughter of Samuel and

Ann Sturgis.
Sept. 11, 1743 Elizabeth and Sarah, daughters

of David and Mehitabel Bar-
tram.
Sept. 18, 1743 Peter, son of Peter and Mary

Penfield.
Oct. 9, 1743. .. .Jesse, son of John and Mary

Morehouse.
Oct. 16, 1743 Pinkny, son of John and Eliza-
beth Dimon.
Nov. 20, 1743 David, son of David and Sarah

Allen.
Nov. 27, 1743. .. .Andrew, son of Peter and Sarah

Bulkly.
Dec. II, 1743 Grizel, daughter of Joseph and

Sarah Sherwood.
Dec. 18, 1743 Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and

Mary Dimon.
Dec. 26, 1743-4 Robin, negro servant to Mr.

Gideon Allen.
Jan. 22, 1743-4 Jabez, son of Joseph and Mary

Perry.
Jan. 22, 1743-4 Isaac, son of John and Esther

Turney.
Feb. 19, 1743-4 Ann, daughter of Micah and

Grace Perry.
March 18, 1743-4. .Josiah, son of John and Martha

Bulkley.
March 18, 1744 Thamar, a negro woman, servant

to Mr. Robert Turney.
April IS, 1744. ...Isaac, son of Nathaniel and

Mary Burr.
April 22, 1744 Elizabeth, daughter of John and

Experience Norris.
July I, 1744 Joseph, son of John and Mary

Smith.
July I, 1744. .. .David, son of David and Sarah

Bulkly.
July 29, 1744 Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Sarah Perry.
Aug. 19, 1744. .. .Esther, daughter of Solomon

and Abigail Sturgis.
Aug. 26, 1744 Walter, son of Edward and

Martha Buddington.
Sept. 9, 1744 Samuel, son of Samuel and

Thankful Beers.
Oct. 7, 1744. .. .William, son of Stephen and

Hannah Jennings.
Oct 7, 1744.... Ruth, daughter of Robert and

Catherine Wilson.

Nov. II, 1744 John, son of Jabez and Elizabeth

Barlow.

Nov. 18, 1744. ...Eben, son of David and Martha
Hubbel.

Nov. 25, 1744 Deborah, daughter of James and

Deborah Burr.

Dec. 2, 1744 Peter, son of James and Han-
nah Morehouse.

Dec. 23, 1744 Nathan, son of Jacob and Catee

Leavit.

March lo, 1744-5. .Daniel, son of Michael and
Abiah Middlebrook.

March 24, 1744-5. .Samuel, son of Samuel and
Ann Sturgis.

March 24, 1744-5. .Grace, daughter of Samuel and
Abigail Hubbel.

March 24, 1744-5. .Toby, Ned and Jenny, negro
children, servants of Mr. Jo-
seph Bulkly.

May 19, 1745 Peter, son of Peter and Sarah

Bulkley.

May 26, 1745. .. .David, son of David and Sarah
Sherwood.

June 9, 1745 Jesse, son of John and Mary

Bedient.

June 16, 1745 Justin, son of Joseph and Eliza-
beth Jennings.

June 16, 174s Hannah, daughter of Jeremiah

and Elizabeth Jennings.

July 21, 174s Ann, daughter of Peter and

Mary Penfield.

July 28, 1745 Sarah, daughter of David and Sa-
rah Allen.

Aug. 25, 1745 John, son of John and Dorothy

Murwin.

Sept. I, 1745 Archibald, son of Hugh and

Ann McRaa.

Sept. I, 1745 Jabez, son of Micah and Grace

Perry.

Sept. 13,174s Peter Burr.

Sept. 15, 1745 Abigail, daughter of Joseph and

Mehitable Squire.

Sept. IS, 1745 Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen

and Esther Turney.

Sept. 15, 1745 Elizabeth, daughter of David

and Abiah Lewes.

Oct. 20, 1745 Sarah, daughter of John and

Mary Morehouse.

Oct. 27,1745 Sarah Burr.

Oct. 2-j, 1745 Daniel, son of David and Mehit-
able Bartram.

Nov. 3, 1745 Peter, son of Ephraim and Abi-
gail Burr.

Nov. 3, 1745 Stephen, son of Stephen and Re-
becca Wakeman.

Nov. 10, 1745 Abigail, daughter of Ebenezer

and Abigail Silliman.

Nov. 17, 1745 Oliver, son of Andrew and Sa-
rah Burr.

Dec. 22, 1745 Andrew, son of Samuel and

Ruth Wakeman.

494

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Feb. 9, I74S-6...
Feb. 9, 1745-6...
Feb. 23, 1745-6...
March 2, 1745-6.
March 5, 1745-6.
April 27. 1746...
April 27, 1746...
June 15, 1746...
June 22, 1746...
June 29, 1746...
Aug. 24, 1746....

Sept. 28, 1746

Oct. 5. I746---'
Oct. 5- 1746- ...

Jan. II, 1746-7

Jan. 25, 1746-7

March 3, 1746-7-

March 29, 1747

April 12, I747----

April 19, 1747

May 3, 1747- •••
May 17, 1747- ••
May 31, 1747- ••■
June 7. 1747---'
June 14, 1747- •■
June 21, 1747- ■••

Aug. 16, 1747

Sept. II, 1747- •■
Oct. 4. I747.---
Oct. 25, 1747- •■
Nov. 8, 1747

.Ellen, daughter of Abijah and
Mary Morehouse.

.Josias, son of Obadiah and
• Wheeler.

.Grissel, daughter of Daniel and
Sarah Perry.

.Lois, daughter of Samuel and
Ruth Morehouse.

.Joshua, son of Joseph and
Deborah Jackson.

Hosea, son of James and Debo-
rah Burr.

.Gershom, son of Eleazer and
Hannah Osborn.

Hannah, daughter of David and
Sarah Bulkly.

Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer
and Mary Dimon.

.Esther, daughter of John and
Martha Bulkly.

Ruben, son of Joseph and Eliza-
beth Jennings.

Samuel, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Squire.

Esther, daughter of David and
Deborah Rowland.

Susanna, daughter of Stephen
and Hannah Jennings.

Epaphros, son of John and Dor-
othy Murwin.

Martha, daughter of Edward and
Martha Buddington.

.Mary, daughter of Jacob and
Catee Leavit.

Ezra, son of John and Sarah
Jennings.

Mary, daughter of John and E.x-
perience Norris.

Daniel, son of Daniel and Sarah
Perry.

Daniel, son of John and Eliza-
beth Dimon.

Eunice, daughter of Nathaniel
and Hannah Pierson.

Hannah, daughter of David and
Sarah Allen.

Jerusha, daughter of James and
Deborah Burr.

George, son of James and Han-
nah Morehouse.

John, son of Robert and Cather-
ine Wilson.

Esther, daughter of Michael and
Abiah Middlebrook.

.Elizabeth, daughter of John and
Mary Morehouse.

David, son of Micah and Grace
Perry.

Daniel, son of Nathaniel and
Mary Wilson.

Sarah, daughter of Samuel and
Abigail Squire.

Nov. 22, 1747 Ellen, daughter of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.

Nov. 29, 1747 John, son of Peter and Mary

Penfield.

Nov. 29, 1747 David, son of Samuel and Ann

Sturgis.

Nov. 29, 1747 Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Mehitable Squire.

Jan. 31, 1747-8 Sarah, daughter of Stephen and

Rebecca Wakeman.

Feb. 28, 1747-8 Judson, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Sturges.

Feb. 28, 1747-8 Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Ruth Wakeman.

Feb. 28, 1747-8 Aaron, son of Peter and Sarah

Bulkly.

March 6, 1747-8. .Adria, daughter of Jabez and
Deborah Frost.

March 13, 1747-8. .Ward, son of David and Sarah
Bulkly.

March 13, 1747-8. .Sarah, daughter of Joseph and
Esther Frost.

March 20, 1747-8. .David, son of David and Mar-
tha Hubbel.

March 20, 1747-8. .Abel, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Hubbel.

April 4, 1748 Dinah, a negro child, servant to

Mr. Joseph Perry.

]\Iay 29, 1748 Catee, daughter of Jacob and

Catee Leavit.

June 10, 1748 Ruhamah, daughter of Thomas

and Deborah Staples.

June 27, 1748 Mary, daughter of Andrew and

Sarah Beardsly.

July 17, 1748 Mary, daughter of Samuel and

Thankful Beers.

July 31, 1748 Jabez, son of Joseph and Eliza-
beth Jennings.

Aug. 7, 1748 Joseph, son of Joseph and Sarah

Perry.

Oct. 18, 1748 Geetlow, daughter of Andrew

and Abigail Truby.

Oct. 23, 1748 John, son of Nathaniel and Han-
nah Pierson.

Nov. 27, 1748 Hannah, daughter of Eleazer and

Hannah Osborn.

Dec. 10, 1748 David, son of Stephen and Sa-
rah Turney.

Dec. 27, 1748 Lucy, a negro woman, servant

of Mr. James Beers.

Dec. 27, 1748 Ned, a negro child, servant to

Mr. James Beers.

Jan. I, 1748-9 Somers, son of Michael and

Abiah Middlebrook.

Jan. I, 1748-9 John, son of Daniel and Sarah

Perry.

Feb. II, 1748-9 Nancy, a negro child, servant to

Capt. Samuel Burr.

Feb. 15, 1748-9... .Sarah, daughter of John and Sa-
rah Jennings.

March 19, 1748-9. .Abijah, son of Abijah and Mary
Morehouse.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 495

April 23, 1-49 Elizabeth, daughter of David and

Sarah Allen.

July 30, 1749 Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and

Ann Wakeman.
Aug. 4, 1749. .. .Abigail, daughter of Joseph and
Ann Hollingsworth.

Aug. 15, 1749 Benjamin, son of Benony and

Ann Gilbert.
Sept. I, 1749 Isaac, son of Samuel and Ruth

Morehouse.

Sept. 3, 1749 Marrino, a negro man, servant

to Capt. Nathaniel Silliman.
Oct. 15, 1749 Ann, daughter of Benjamin and

Ann Jennings.
Oct. 8, 1749 Ann, daughter of Nathaniel and

Mary Wilson.
Oct. 29, 1749 Ellen, daughter of ilicah and

Grace Perry.
Oct. 31, 1749 Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and

Catee Leavit.
Dec. :o, 1749 Jerusha, daughter of Andrew

and Sarah Burr.
Dec. 24, 1749 William, son of Jabez and Debo-
rah Frost.
Dec. 31, 1749 Deodate, son of Ebenezer and

Abigail Silliman.
Dec. 31, 1749 Joseph, son of John and Martha

Bulkly.
Dec. 31, 1749 Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and

Sarah Middlebrook.
Feb. 4, 1749-50 Jack, a negro man, servant to

Capt. John Silliman.
Feb. 18, 1749-50 James, a negro man, servant to

Mr. Zechariah Hubbard.
March 11, 1749-50. .Primus, a negro man, servant to

Capt. Thomas Hill.
March 25, 1750 Charles, son of Joseph and Eliz-
abeth Jennings.
March 25, 1750 William, son of John and Mary

Morehouse.
March 25, 1750 Mehitabel, daughter of Joseph

and Mehitabel Squire.
April 15, 1750 John, son of Samuel and .\bi-

gail Squire.
May 27, 1750 Lois, daughter of David and Sa-
rah Bulkly.
June 10, 1750 Samuel, son of Samuel and .^bi-

gail Hubbel.
June 24, 1750 Samuel, son of Stephen and Sa-
rah Turney.

Aug. 5.1750 Abigail Burr.

Sept. 23, 1750 John, son of Samuel and Ann

Sturgis.
Sept. 23, 1750 Stephen, son of Stephen and

Hannah Jennings.
Oct. 28, 1750 Joanna, daughter of Jacob and

Catee Leavit.
Nov. 25, 1750 Elizabeth, daughter of Jabez and

Elizabeth Bulkly.
Dec. 30, 1750 Sarah, daughter of Peter and

Sarah Bulkly.

Jan. 20, 1750-1 Abel, son of Joseph and Sarah

Sherwood.
Jan. 20, 1750-1 Josiah, son of James and Debo-
rah Burr.

Feb. 24, 1750-1 Catherine, daughter of Robert

and Catherine Wilson.

March 17, 1750-1. .Grissel, daughter of Eleazer and
Hannah Osborn.

March 31, 1751 Esther, daughter of Benjamin

and Ann Jennings.

March 26, 1751 Ann, daughter of Nathaniel and

Sarah Wilson.

Jan. 2, 1751 Amos, son of Jack, and Dinah,

Capt. Silliman's negro ser-
vants.
July 7, 1751 Samuel, son of Anthony and Sa-
rah Annable.

Aug. 4, 1751 Mary, daughter of Michael and

Abiah Middlebrook.

Oct. 6. 1751 Jonathan, son of Micah and

Grace Perry.

Oct. 13, 1751 Grissel, daughter of Jabez and

Deborah Frost.

Oct. 27, 1751 Gideon, son of John and Abi-
gail Allen.

Nov. 3, 1751 Esther, daughter of David and

Elizabeth Rowland.

Nov. 17, 1751 David, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Squire.

Dec. I, 1751 Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and

Elizabeth Knap.

Dec. 22, 1751 Noah, son of Stephen and Re-
becca Wakeman.

Feb. 16, 1752 Aaron, son of Abijah and Mary

Morehouse.

April 5, 1752 John, son of James and Deborah

Burr.

April 12, 1752 Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Abigail Hubbel.

April 12, 1752 Aaron, son of Stephen and .Sa-
rah Turney.

^lay ID, 1752 Mary, daughter of David and

Sarah Allen.

June 21, 1752 Abigail, daughter of Benoni and

Ann Gilbert.

July 5, 1752 Joseph, son of Joseph and Mehit-

able Squire.

Aug. 9. 1752 Ebenezer, son of Hezekiah and

Abigail Sturgis.

Aug. 17, 1752 Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Ruth Wakeman.

Oct. 22, 1752 Straiten, son of Seth and Sarah

Osborn.

Nov. 5, 1752 Benjamin, son of Benjamin and

Ann Jennings.

Nov. 5, 1752 Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel

and Sarah Wilson.

Nov. 25, 1752 Joseph, son of Samuel and Eu-
nice Wilson.

Dec. 24, 1752 Samuel, son of John and .\nn

Wheeler.

496

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Dec. 31, 1752.

Jan. 7. J7S3-

Jan. 17, 1753-

Feb. 18, 1753
March 11, 1753
March 18, 1753
March 18, 1753

April 22, 1753

May 6, 1753

'June 24, 1753

July 1, 1753

July I, I7S3-

July 22, 1733.

July 22, 1753-

Sept. 2, 1753.

Nov. 4, 1753.

Nov. 4, I7S3-

Nov. II, 1753..

Nov. 15, 1753- ■

Nov. 18, 1753.

Jan. 13, 1754-

Feb. 3. J7S4--

Feb. 10, 1754- •

March 17, i754-.

March 17, i754-'

March 17, I754-.

April 28, 1754.

July 7. 1754- .

July 7. J7S4..

July 7, I754..

..Walter, son of David and Eu-
nice Burr.

..Eunice, daughter of David and
Jane Ogden.

..Dinah and Jenny, negro chil-
dren, servants of Capt. Abra-
ham Morehouse.

.Gcrshom, son of Peter and Sarah
Bulkly.

.Samuel, son of James and Mary
Smedly.

..Abigail, daughter of John and
Abigail Allen.

. .Lydia, daughter of Jabez and
Elizabeth Bulkly.

..Esther, daughter of Jonathan
and Catherine Osborn.

..Ned, a negro child, servant to
Mr. Ebenezer Bartram.

..Reuben, son of Joseph and Sa-
rah Sherwood.

.Elizabeth and Mary, daughters
of Robert and Catherine Wil-
son.

.Sarah, a negro child, daughter
of James and Sarah .

.Daniel, son of Samuel and
Thankful Beers.

.Abraham, son of John and Sa-
rah Parrit.

.Elizabeth and Ruth, daughters
of Samuel and Ruth More-
house.

.Gershom, son of Gershom and
Martha Whitehead.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer
and Elizabeth Knapp.

.Jabez, son of David and Martha
Ilubbel.

.Deborah, daughter of Jabez and
Deborah Frost.

.Lyman, son of Daniel and Eu-
nice Jennings.

.Joseph, son of Samuel and Eu-
nice Wilson.

.Daniel Stirling.

.Esther, daughter of Talcott and
Esther Bulkly.

.Sturgis, son of Micah and Grace
Perry.

.Thomas, son of Jesse and Sarah
Hunt.

.Lucretia, daughter of David and
Eunice Burr.

.Ebenezer, son of Joseph and
Mehitable Squire.

.Grissel, daughter of Samuel and
Abigail Ilubbel.

.Aaron, son of Stephen and Sa-
rah Turney.

.Sarah, daughter of John and Sa-
rah Parrit.

July

Aug.

1754

Aug.

1754-

Sept.

1754

Nov.

I7S4

Nov.

10,

1754

Nov.

17.

1754

Nov.

17.

1754

Dec.

■754

Dec.

1754-

Dec.

IS.

I7S4

Dec.

15.

I7S4-

Dec.

22,

1754-

Jan.

.2,

■755

Jan.

28,

■755

Feb.

1755-

March

16.

■755 •

April

I75S.

May

I75S-

May

25.

1755-

May

25.

I7SS-

June

I75S-

June

IS.

1755-

July

I7SS.

July

20.

I75S.

Sept.

20,

I7SS-

Sept.

25.

1755-

Sept.

28.

Oct.

1755-

Oct.

I7SS.

Oct.

12.

I7SS.

...Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Eunice Burr.
. . .Mary Price.
...Ellen, daughter of Ebenezer and

Elizabeth Meeker.
...Eunice, daughter of Nathan and

Eunice Hill.
...Dimon, son of Hezekiah and

Abigail Sturgis.
...Joseph, son of Gershom and

Mary Banks.
...Edmond, son of Benjamin and

.•\nn Jennings.
...Abigail, daughter of Abraham

and Elizabeth Gold.
...Ellen, daughter of David and

Sarah Allen.
...Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and

Sarah Lewis.
...John, son of John and Ann

Wheeler.
...Eunice, daughter of Gideon and

Catherine Welles.
...Ellen, daughter of Eleazer and

Hannah Osborn.
...Sarah, daughter of Jabez and

Ann Thorp.
...Jabez and Mary, children of Ja-
bez and Elizabeth Bulkley.
...Stephen, son of Stephen and

Hannah Jennings.
. ..Lyd, a negro child, daughter of

Primus and Dinah.
...Martha, daughter of John and

Abigail Allen.
...Abigail, daughter of Samuel and

Abigail Squier.
...Sarah, daughter of Jesse and Sa-
rah Hunt.
. ..Phebe, a negro child, daughter

of James and Sarah.
...Miriam, daughter of Peter and

Rebecca Burr.
...Betty and Amos, children of

Primus and Dinah.
...Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and

Elizabeth Knap.
...Samuel, son of Nathaniel and

Abigail Hull.
...Molly, daughter of Talcot and

Esther Bulkley.
...John, son of John and Hester

Hill.
...Thomas Handford, son of

Ebenezer and Sarah Wake-
man.
..Olive, daughter of Nathaniel and

Hannah Pierson.
...John, son of Abel and Ellen

Gold.
...Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph

and Rebecca Bartram.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 497

Nov. 16, 1755 Robert, son of Robert and Cath-
erine Wilson.

Nov. 30, 17SS Abraham, son of Daniel and Sa-
rah Morehouse.

Dec. 14, 1755 Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Mehitable Squier.

Jan. 4, 1756 Peter, son of Stephen and Sarah

Turney.

Jan. 4, 1756 Eunice, daughter of David and

Eunice Burr.

Feb. 8, 1756 Aaron, son of Nathan and Eu-
nice Hill.

March 14, 1756 Sturges, son of Jonathan and

Sarah Lewis.

April 18, 1756 Jeremiah and Mary, children of

David and Mary Wakeman.

May 2, 1756 Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and

Sarah Wilson.

May 31, 1756 Mary, daughter of Ichabod and

Deborah Wheeler.

June 2y, 1756 John, son of Howes and Mary

Osborn.

July 4, 1756 Isaac, son of Micah and Grace

Perry.

July II, 1756 John, son of John and Sarah

Parrit.

July 25, 1756 William, son of Gold Sellick and

Martha Silliman.

July 25, 1756 Aaron, son of Jabez and Ann

Thorp.

Sept. 12, 1756 Annie, daughter of Samuel and

Ruth Morehouse.

Oct. 24, 1756 Abel, son of Abel and Ellen

Gold.

Oct. 31, 1756 Josiah, son of Benjamin and

Ann Jennings.

Nov. 7, 1756 Gershom Burr, son of Thaddeus

and Abigail Burr.

Nov. 21, 1756 Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer

and Elizabeth Meeker.

Nov. 28, 1756 Hezekiah, son of Hezekiah and

Abigail Sturgis.

Dec. 12, 1756. .. .Abigail, daughter of Samuel and
Abigail Hubbel.

Dec. 12, 1756 Hezekiah, son of Abraham and

Elizabeth Gold.

Dec. 12, 1756 Mary, daughter of Jesse and Sa-
rah Hunt.

Dec. 12, 1756 Ann, daughter of Daniel and

Ann Burr.

Dec. 28, 1756 Eben, son of Hezekiah and Sa-
rah Piatt.

Jan. 16, 1757 Ebenezer, son of James and

Hannah Beers.

Jan. 30, 1757 Ann, daughter of John and Abi-
gail Allen.

l'"eb. 20, 1757 Edward, son of David and Sarah

Allen.

Feb. 20, 1757 Eleanor, daughter of Samuel and

Eunice Wilson.

March 27, 1757 Michael, son of Matthew and

Rebecca Jennings.
32

March 27, 1757 Phillis, a negro child, son ot

James and Sarah.
April, 1757 Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph

and Mehitabel Squier.
April 9, I7S7 Sturgis, son of David and Jane

Ogden.
April 10, 1757 Philliss, son of Peter and Re-
becca Burr.
May 15, 1757 Jane, daughter of Edmond and

Abigail Hunt.
June 12, 1757 Amelia, daughter of Talcot and

Esther Bulkley.
June 19, 1757 Eleazer, son of William and

Mary Raymon.
July 3, 1757 Primus, a negro child, son of

Primus and Dinah.
Aug. 14, 1757 David, son of David and Eunice

Burr.
.\ug. 14. 1757. .. .Jane, daughter of Gershom and

Mary Banks.
Aug. 14, 1757 Abigail, daughter of Daniel and

Eunice Jennings.
Aug. 14, 1757 Benjamin, son of Ebenezer and

Elizabeth Knap.
Aug. 14, 1757 Samuel, son of Samuel and Eliz-
abeth Silliman.
Aug. 21, 1757 John, son of Joseph and Abigail

Gold.
Sept. II, 1757 Deborah, daughter of Gershom

and Deborah Bradly.

Dec. 4,1757 Thaddeus Burr.

Dec. 4, 1757 Eulalia, daughter of Joseph and

Rebecca Bartram.
Dec. 28, 1757 Elizabeth, daughter of Donald

and Isabel Macintosh.
Feb. I, 1758 Ann, daughter of Alexander and

Sarah McDonald.
March 13, 1758. .. .Betty, daughter of Andrew and

Jean McCullock.
March 18, 1758 Sue, an old negro woman, ser-
vant to Mrs. Allen.
.\pril 2, 1758 Abraham, son of Samuel and

Ruth Morehouse.
\\ix'\\ 2, 1758 Sarah, daughter of Jabez and

Elizabeth Bulkley.
.'\pril 9, 1758 Mary, daughter of Micah and

Grace Perry.
.\pril 23, 1758 Elizabeth, daughter of EzekicI

and Esther Hull.
.\pril 30, 1758 Samuel, son of Benjamin and

Mary Osborn.
June 25, 1758 Grissel, daughter of Jabez and

Ann Thorp.
Sept. 3, 1758. .. .Ruth, daughter of John and

Mary Morehouse.
Sept. 3, 1758 Mary, daughter of John and

Sarah Redfield.
Sept. 17, 1758 Mary, daughter of Robert and

Catherine W^ilson.

Oct. 8, 1758 Abigail, daughter of Daniel and

Ann Burr.

498

Oct.

1758.

Nov.

19,

1758.

Nov.

19,

1758.

Dec.

1758.

Dec.

17.

1758.

Jan.

1-59-

Jan.

14,

1-59.

Feb.

I759--

Feb.

II,

1759..

Feb.

1759- •

March

II,

1759.

March

i8,

1759.

March

1759.

May

13,

1759-

June
July
July

17,
8,

29,

1759.
1759. •
I7S9--

July

29,

I759--

Aug.

1759- ■

Aug.
Aug.

12,

1759..
I7S9. .

Aug.

12,

1-59- ■

Aug.

19,

I-S9..

Sept.

1759- .

Sept.

759- ■■

Sept.

30,

1759- •

Sept.

30.

1759..

Oct.

1759- •

Oct.

21,

1759- •

Jan.

1760.

XI ay

1760..

May

II,

1760..

HISTORY OF

...Rebecca, daughter of Nathan

and Eunice Hill.
..George, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Squier.
..Susanna, daughter of Daniel and

Elizabeth Osborne.
..Andrew, son of Joseph and Me-

hitabel Squier.
..Ruth, daughter of Nathan and

Sarah Wilson.
..James, son of Edmond and Abi-
gail Hunt.
..Lothrop, son of Jonathan and

Sarah Lewis.
. .Talcot, son of Talcot and Esther

Bulkley.
..Solomon, son of Hezekiah and

Abigail Sturgis.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham

and Elizabeth Gold.
..Mary, daughter of James and

Ellen Penfield.
. .Ebenezer, son of Eleazer and

Hannah Osborn.
...Hezekiah, son of Nathan and

Ruth Burr.
..Samuel, son of Asa and Grace

Spalding.
. .Talcot, son of Abel and Ellen Gold.
..Jack, servant to Col. Smedly.
..William, son of David and Eu-
nice Burr.
..Hannah, daughter of Samuel

and Elizabeth Silliman.
..James, son of James and Han-
nah Beers.
..Prince, son of Primus and Dinah.
..Benjamin, son of Jonathan and

Grace Darrow.
. .Jabez, son of Moses and Abigail

Bulkley.
..John, son of John and Abigail

Allen.
..Samuel, son of William and

Mary Raymon.
.Jack and Amos, negro children,

servants of Mr. James Beers.
..Nathaniel, son of Samuel and

Elizabeth Pen field.
..Nancy, Dorcas and Lydia,

negro children, servants of

Mr. James Beers.
..Ned, a negro child, servant to

Samuel Beers.
..Asa, son of Stephen and Sarah

Turney.
..Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Elizabeth Penfield.
..Ellen, daughter of Nathan and

Ruth Burr.
..David, son of John and Sarah

Redfield.

FAIRFIELD

June I, 1760 Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Ruth Morehouse.
June 29, 1760 Daniel, son of Daniel and Eliza-
beth Osborn.
Aug. 8, 1760 George, son of David and Sarah

Allen.
Sept. 28, 1760 Edmond, son of Peter and Re-
becca Burr.
Sept. 28, 1760 Joseph, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Bartram.
Oct. 26, 1760 Ann, daughter of Jonathan and

Sarah Lewis.
Nov. 9, 1760 Hezekiah, son of James and

Hannah Beers.
Nov. 16, 1760 James, a negro child, son of

James and Sarah.
Nov. 23, 1760. .. .Hannah and Ellen, daughters of

Jabez and Ann Thorp.
Dec. 14, 1760 -Miigail, daughter of James and

Elizabeth Bulkley.
Jan. 30, 1761. . . .Mary, wife of John Squier.
March i, 1761. . . . Lsaac Sterling.
March i, 1761 James, son of James and Ellen

Penfield.
March 15, 1761 Esther, daughter of Micah and

Grace Perry.
March 15, 1761 Seth, son of Daniel and Ann

Burr.
March 15. 1761. .. .Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and

Deborah Sturgis.
April 12, 1761 John Burr, son of Abraham and

Elizabeth Gold.
April 26, 1761 Ann, daughter of William and

Mary Raymon.
June 14, 1761 Lois, daughter of Matthew and

Rebecca Jennings.
July 19, 1761. .. .Grace, daughter of Jonathan and

Grace Darrow.
Aug. 2, 1761 Abigail, daughter of Talcot and

Esther Bulkley.
Aug. 2. 1761 ... .Eunice, daughter of Hezekiah

and Abigail Sturges.
-Aug. 2, 1761 Ellen, daughter of Abel and

Ellen Gold.
Aug. 16, 1761 Ellen, daughter of David and

Eunice Burr.
Aug. 30, 1761 . . . .Shcm, a negro boy, servant to

widow Hannah Osborn.
Sept. 13, 1761 Abigail, daughter of Moses and

Abigail Jennings.
Oct. 4, 1761 Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and

Martha Perry.
Oct. II, 1761 Nero, a negro child, son of Pri-
mus and Dinah.
Oct. 17, 1761 Mabel, daughter of Ebenezer

and Amelia Burr.
Jan. 3, 1762 Hannah, daughter of Samuel

and Elizabeth Penfield.
Jan. 17, 1762. .. .Olive, daughter of Squier and

Damaris Wakcman.
Feb. 7, 1762. .. .Jabez, son of Samuel and Re-
becca Mann.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 499

April 4, 1762 Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel and

Sarah Wilson.

May 30, 1762 Ellen, daughter of Moses and

Abigail Bulkley.

July 4, 1762 Sarah, daughter of Seth and Me-

hitabel Osborn.

July 18, 1762 James, son of John and iVbigail

Allen.

July 18, 1762 William, son of Ichabod and

Deborah Wheeler.
July 18, 1762 James, son of Samuel and Eliza-
beth Silliman.
Aug. IS, 1762. ... Benjamin, son of Benjamin and
Mary Osborn.

Aug. 15, 1762 Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Bartram.

Sept. 5, 1762 Mary, daughter of David and

Mary Wakeman.
Sept. s, 1762. .. .Catherine, daughter of Jonathan
and Ann Silliman.

Sept. 12, 1762 Hezekiah, son of Nathan and

Ruth Burr.
Sept. 19, 1762 William, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Squire.

Sept. 19, 1762 Esther, daughter of Jonathan

and Sarah Ogden.

Oct. 3, 1762 Abel, son of Stephen and Sarah

Turney.

Nov. 21, 1762 Rowland, son of Asa and Grace

Spalding.

Dec. 12, 1762 James, a negro child, son of

James and Sarah.
Feb. 6, 1763 Eleazer, son of James and Eliz-
abeth Bulkley.
Feb. 13, 1763 Peter, son of Ebenezer and Eliz-
abeth Meeker.

Feb. 15,1763 Phebe, daughter of Moses and

Abigail Jennings.
Feb. 27, 1763 Ephraim, son of James and El-
len Penfield.

March 13, 1763 John, son of John and Sarah

Redfield.

March 20, 1763 Ellen, daughter of Jabez and

Ann Thorp.

March 20, 1763 Lewis Burr, son of Jonathan

and Deborah Sturgis.
April 3, 1763. .. .Allen, son of Hezekiah and Ann
Nichols.

April 10, 1763 Jack, a negro child, servant to

widow Morehouse.
April 24. 1763 Samuel, son of Samuel and Eliz-
abeth Penfield.
May 8, 1763 Samuel, son of John and Han-
nah Godfry.

May 29, 1763 Mary, daughter of Peter and

Eunice Jennings.

June 19, 1763 Happy, daughter of Talcot and

Esther Bulkley.

July 24, 1763 Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and

Martha Perry.
July 31, 1763. .. .Deborah, daughter of Abraham
and Elizabeth Gold.

Aug. 7, 1763 Esther, daughter of Nathan and

Sarah Bulkley.
Aug. 7, 1763 Prince, a negro child, son of Pri-
mus and Dinah.
Aug. 21, 1763 Noah, son of Samuel and Re-
becca Mann.

Sept. II, 1763 Esther, daughter of Daniel and

Ann Burr.

Oct. 9, 1763 Abigail, daughter of David and

Eunice Burr.

Nov. 6, 1763 Ebenezer, son of David and Ann

Dimon.
Nov. 6, 1763 Dan and Dolphin, negro chil-
dren, servants of Noah Hobart.

Nov. 27, 1763 Samuel, son of Abel and Ellen

Gold.

Dec. 4, 1763 Edward, son of Hezekiah and

Abigail Sturgis.

Dec. II, 1763 Jeremiah, son of Daniel and

Elizabeth Osborn.

Jan. 29, 1764 Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and

Sarah Ogden.
Feb. 5, 1764 William, son of Joseph and Sa-
rah Sturgis.

March 4, 1764 Ellen, daughter of Justin and

Hannah Hobart.

March 18, 1764 Abigail, daughter of Peter and

Hannah Penfield.

April 8, 1764 Philip, a negro child, servant of

Mr. James Beers.

May 20, 1764 Thankful, daughter of Jonathan

and Elizabeth Darrow.

June 3, 1764 Thomas, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Bartram.

June 17, 1764 Thomas, son of Nehemiah and

Sarah Burr.
Aug. s. 1764 Sarah, daughter of John and Sa-
rah Redfield.
Aug. 22, 1764 Amos, son of Robert and Cath-
erine Wilson.

Nov. iS, 1764 Gold, son of Jonathan and Ann

Silliman.

Nov. 18, 1764 Anna, daughter of Eliezer and

Sarah Osborn.

Nov. 25, 1764 Elizabeth, daughter of Moses

and Abigail Bulkley.

Jan. 20, 1764 Bradly, son of Talcot and Esther

Bulkley.

Feb. 24, 1764 Catherine, daughter of Moses

and Abigail Jennings.
March 17, 1765 John, son of Ichabod and Deb-
orah Wheeler.

April 14, 176s Anna, daughter of Jonathan and

Deborah Sturges.
April 14, 176s Silliman and John, sons of Na-
thaniel and Sarah Wilson.

April 14, 1765 Ezra and Esther, children of

James and Hannah Beers.

April 28, 1765 Esther, daughter of Reuben and

Ellen Osborne.
May 19, 1765. . . .Thaddeus, son of James and El-
len Penfield.

500

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

June 2, 1763. . .
June 9, 1765...
June 9, 1765. ••
June 16, 1765...
July 14, 1765...
July 14, 1765...
July 14, 1765- ■•
July 21, 1765...
July 21, 1765...
July 21, 1765...
Aug. 4, 1765...
Aug. 25, 1765...

Oct. 6, 1765...

Oct. 13, 1765...

Oct. 27, 1763...

Xov. 3, 1765...

Nov. 10, 1763..

Nov. 24, 1763..

Dec. 29, 1763..

Jan. 12, 1766. .

Jan. 12, 1766..

Feb. 9, 1766. .

Feb. 23, 1766. .

Feb. 23, 1766..

March 2, 1766..

March 9, 1766..

March 23, 1766. ,

March 23, 1766.

April 27, 1766.

May 30, 1766.
July 20, 1766.

Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Elizabeth Silliman.
Peter, son of Jonathan and Han-
nah Bulkley.
.Mary, daughter of Daniel and

Ann Dimon.
.Hannah, daughter of Hannah

and John Godfry.
Mabel, daughter of James and

Elizabeth Bulkley.
Mary, daughter of Howes and

Mary Osborn.
Josiah, son of Samuel and Re-
becca Mann.
Hannah, daughter of Samuel and

Elizabeth Pcnfield.
.Eliphalet, son of Eliphalet and

Eunice Thorp.
.Cloe, a mulatto child, servant to

Mrs. Sarah Burr.
.Samuel, son of John and Abigail

Allen.
.Phebe, daughter of John and Eu-
nice Smedly.
.Mary, daughter of Ebenezer and

Mary Bartram.
.Ann, daughter of Nathaniel and

Elizabeth McCaul.
.Nehemiah, son of Nehemiah and

Sarah Burr.
.James, son of John and Eunice

Smedly.
.Titus, a negro child, son of Pri-
mus and Dinah.
.Grissel, daughter of Nathaniel

and Ruth Burr.
.Joab, son of Stephen and Sarah

Turney.
.Mary, daughter of Justin and

Hannah Hobart.
, .Jerusha, daughter of Joseph and

Sarah Sturgis.
..Peter, son of Peter and Eunice

Jennings.
.Lewis, son of Peter and Hannah

Penfield.
..Isaac, son of Abel and Ellen

Gold.
..Ann, daughter of Hezekiah and

Ann Nichols.
..Samuel, son of Hezekiah and

Abigail Sturgis.
..Abraham, son of Abraham and

Elizabeth Gold.
..Isaiah, son of Daniel and Ann

Burr.
..Abram, 9. negro child, servant

to Mr. James Beers.
..Sarah, daughter of David and

Eunice Burr.
..David Ogdcn.
..Ann, daughter of Grace Hubbel.

July 27, 1766 Eunice, daughter of Eliezer and

Sarah Osborne.

Aug. 3, 1766 Sarah, daughter of William and

Esther Dimon.

Nov. 30, 1766 Noah, son of Samuel and Sarah

Beers.

Dec. 28, 1766 Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Christian Silliman.

Jan. II, 1767 Ebenezer, son of Nehemiah and

Sarah Burr.
Feb. I, 1767 Reuben, son of Reuben and El-
len Osborne.

Feb. 22, 1767 Thaddeus, son of Gershom and

Priscilla Burr.

March i, 1767 Squier, son of Paul and Sarah

Nichols.

!March 13, 1767 Abigail, daughter of Jonathan

and Sarah Ogden.
March 29, 1767. .. .Jonathan, son of Jonathan and
Hannah Bulkley.

April 26, 1767 Ruhamah, daughter of Talcot

and Esther Bulkley.

May 17, 1767 Job, son of Ebenezer and Mary

Bartram.
June 14, 1767 Sturges, son of Moses and Abi-
gail Bulkley.

June 28, 1767 Ellen, daughter of James and

Ellen Penfield.

July 3, 1767 Samuel, William and Amelia,

children of Ebenezer and
Amelia Burr.
Aug. 16, 1767. .. .Benjamin, son of John and Han-
nah Godfry.

Aug. 30, 1767 Ann, daughter of David and Ann

Dimon.

Sept. 6, 1767 Lucretia, daughter of Moses and

Abigail Jennings.

Sept. 13, 1767 Jonathan, son of Jonathan and

Deborah Sturgis.

Oct. 4, 1767 Burr, son of James and Hannah

Beers.

Oct. II, 1767 Dorcas, Titus, Dinah and Lyd,

servants of Col Smedley.
Oct. II, 1767 Turk and Dorcas, negro chil-
dren, servants to Col. Smed-
ley.
Oct. 25, 1767 Isaac, son of Nathaniel and Sa-
rah Wilson.

Oct. 23, 1767 Ebenezer, son of Jonathan and

Ann Silliman.

Oct. 23, 1767 John, son of David and Sarah

Turney.

Nov. I, 1767 Esther, daughter of Samuel and

Rebecca Mann.

Nov. I, 1767 Dinah, a negro child, daughter

of Primus and Dinah.
Dec. 6, 1767. .. .Josiah, son of Samuel and Eliza-
beth Penfield.
Jan. 3, 1768. .. .Eunice, daughter of John and
Eunice Smedley.

Jan. 3, 1768 Mabel, daughter of Eliphalet and

Eunice Thorp.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 501

Jan. 10, 1768

Feb. 7. 1768,

Feb. 7, 1768

Feb. 14, 1768

March 6, 1768

March 7, 1768

March i, 1768

March 27, 1768

April 10, 1768

April 10, 1768.

May 8, 1768

May IS, 1768

July 10, 1768,

Aug. 4, 1768

Sept. II, 1768

Sept. 17, 1768

Oct. 30, 1768

Nov. 6, 176S,

Jan. I, 1769

Jan. 29, 1769,

March 5, 1769

March 26, 1769

April 23, 1769

April 30, 1769

May 7. 1769

May 7, 1769.

July 23, 1769

Aug. 6, 1769

...Sarah, daughter of Joseph and
Sarah Sturgis.

...Sarah, daughter of Nathan and
Sarah Bulkley.

...Elizabeth, daughter of William
and Esther Dimon.

...Nathaniel, son of Nathan and
Ruth Burr.

...Silas, son of Gideon and Cath-
erine Welles.

...Jerome, son of Justin and Han-
nah Hobart.

...Ned, a negro child, servant to
Jonathan Ogden.

...Justus, son of Robert and Cath-
erine Wilson.

...Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and
Lydia Hubbel.

...Andrew, son of David and Eu-
nice Burr.

...Sarah, daughter of Eliezer and
Sarah Osborne.

...Esther, daughter of Abel and
Ellen Gold.

...Abigail, daughter of Hezekiah
and Abigail Sturges.

...Gershom, son of Gershom and
Priscilla Burr.

...Ellen, daughter of Peter and
Eunice Jennings.

...Boston, a negro child, servant to
Col. Smedley.

...James, son of James and Eliza-
beth Bulkley.

...Mary, daughter of Aaron and
Mary Hubbel.

...Jonathan, son of Reuben and
Ellen Osborn.

...Mary, daughter of Joseph and
Christian Silliman.

...Sarah, daughter of John and
Abigail Allen.

...Hannah, daughter of Daniel and
Ann Burr.

...Ann, daughter of Abraham and
Elizabeth Gold.

...Abigail, daughter of Hezekiah
and Emillia .Silliman.

...Noah, son of Justin and Han-
nah Hobart.

...Nehemiah, son of Nehemiah and
Sarah Burr.

...John, son of Jonathan and Eliz-
abeth Maltby.

...Bradly, son of Tallcot and Es-
ther Bulkley.

...Joel, son of Hezekiah and Ann
Nichols.

...Abel, son of Samuel and Sarah
Beers.

...Jerusha, daughter of Ebenezer
and Mary Bartram.

Aug. 20, 1769 Moses, son of Moses and Abi-
gail Bulkley.

Aug. 20, 1769 Sarah Stanley, daughter of Heze-
kiah and Jerusha Fitch.

Sept. 3, 1769 Abigail, daughter of Jonathan

r.nd Hannah Bulkley.

Sept. 3, 1769 Isaac Lathrop, son of Gershom

and Priscilla Burr.

Sept. 10, 1769 Barnabas Lothrop, son of Jona-
than and Deborah Sturgis.

Sept. 10, 1769 Samuel, son of Andrew and

Elizabeth Rowland.

Sept. 17, 1769 David, son of James and Ellen

Penfield.

Sept. 17, 1769 Lucretia, daughter of Moses and

Abigail Jennings.

Sept. 2S, 1769 Justus, son of Wakeman and

Mary Burr.

Oct. 29, 1769. .. .Levi, son of Wakeman and Mary
Burr.

Oct. 29, 1769 Sarah, daughter of David and

Sarah Turney.

Nov. 19, 1769 Eliezer, son of Samuel and

Hull.

Nov. 19, 1769 Ebenezer, son of Paul and Sarah

Nichols.

Jan. 14, 1770 Esther, daughter of William and

Esther Dimon.

Feb. 4, 1770 Jonathan, son of Jonathan and

Elizabeth Maltby.

Feb. 18, 1770. .. .Walter, son, Eliphalet and Eu-
nice Thorp.

March 4, 1770 Sherwood, son of Ebenezer and

Martha Perry.

jNIarch 18, 1770 Eleazer, son of Eliezer and Sa-
rah Osborn.

March 2s, 1770.... Lydia, daughter of John and
Eunice Smedley.

March 2S, 1770 Jabez, son of Ebenezer and

Lydia Hubbel.

May 20, 1770 Mary, daughter of Jonathan and

Sarah Ogden.

May 27, 1770 Houton, son of James and Eliz-
abeth Bulkly.

June 3, 1770 Job, Micah, Walter and Sail, chil-
dren of Peter and Sarah Perry.

July 8, 1770 Isaac, son of Hezekiah and

Emillia Silliman.

July 8, 1770 Edmond, son of Reuben and El-
len Osborn.

July 22, 1770 David, son of Joseph and Sarah

Sturgis.

Sept. 9, 1770 Mary, daughter of Hezekiah and

Abigail Sturgis.

Sept. 9, 1770 Abigail, daughter of Gershom

and Priscilla Burr.

Sept. 16, 1770 Abigail, daughter of Samuel and

Elizabeth Penfield.

Sept. 30, 1770 Nathan, son of Abel and Ellen

Gold.

Oct. 14, 1770 — Elijah, son of Israel and Han-
nah Bibbins.

302

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Nov. 15, 1770 Jonathan, son of Jonathan and

Ann Silliman.
Nov. 18, 1770 Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and

Eunice Jennings.

Nov. 25, 1770 Abel, son of David and Jane Og-

den.
Dec. 2, 1770 Toney, a negro child, son of

Toney and Nanny.
Dec. 23, 1770 Rhoda, daughter of Joseph and

Christian Silliman.
Jan. 27, 1771 John Gold, son of David and

Sarah Allen.
Feb. 9, 1771 Silas, son of Hezekiah and Ann

Nichols.
Feb. 24, 1771 Jason, son of Abraham and Eliz-
abeth Gold.
March 27, 1771 Hezekiah, son of Hezekiah and

Jerusha Fitch.
March 24, 1771 Joseph Cesar, a negro child, son

of James and Sarah.
April 28, 1771 Sarah, daughter of John and Eu-
nice Penfield.
.May 5, 1771 Thomas, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Cartram.
May S. '77' Ezra, son of John and Hannah

Godfry.
May 12, 1771 Sarah, daughter of Nehemiah

and Sarah Burr.
June 30, 1771 Sturgis, son of Jabez and Mar-
tha Thorp.
July 18, 1771 Ezra, son of Ezra and Martha

Jennings.
Aug. 3, 1771. .. .Abigail, daughter of David and

Ann Dimon.
.\ug. 4, 1771 Deborah, daughter of Moses and

Abigail Jennings.
Sept. 22, 1771 Deborah, daughter of Jonathan

and Deborah Sturgis.
Oct. 27, 1771 Jesse, son of Daniel and Lois

Dimon.
Nov. 3. 1771 Sarah, daughter of Andrew and

Abigail Bulkley.
Nov. s, 1771 Esther, daughter of Samuel and

Esther Smedley.
Nov. :o, 1771 Ebenezer, son of Samuel and

Sarah Beers.
Nov. 24, 1771 Pegg, a negro woman, servant

to Mr. David Allen.
Dec. 1, 1771 Thomas, son of Jonathan and

Hannah Bulkley.
Dec. 1, 1771 Fanny, daughter of Hezekiah

and Emmely Silliman.
Dec. 29, 1771 Hannah, daughter of Nehemiah

and Lydia Phippaiiy.
Jan. 5, 1772 Abigail, daughter of VVakeman

and Mary Burr.
Feb. 2, 1772 Seth, son of Peter and Sarah

Perry.
F"eb. 16, 1772 Nathaniel Lewis, son of Samuel

and Abigail Sturgis.
March 8, 1772 Gideon, son of David and Sarah

Allen.

March 29, 1772 Abigail, daughter of Eleazer and

Sarah Osbom.
April 19, 1772 Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and

Elizabeth Maltby.
April 19, 1772 Sarah, daughter of Eliphalet and

Eunice Thorp.
April 19, 1772 Mary, daughter of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.
May 3, 1772 Levi, son of Ebenezer and Mar-
tha Perry.
June 7, 1772. .. .Justin, son of Justin and Han-
nah Hobart.
June 28, 1772 David, son of Samuel and Eliza-
beth Penfield.
July 5. 1772 Priscilla, daughter of Gold Sel-

lick and Martha Silliman.
Aug. 2, 1772 Elizabeth, daughter of James and

Elizabeth Bulkley.
Aug. 9, 1772 James, son of Paul and Sarah

Nichols.
Aug. 23, 1772. .. .Sarah, daughter of Ezra and

Martha Jennings.
Aug. 30, 1772 Thomas, son of Eleazer and

Elizabeth Burrit.
Sept. 27, 1772 Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and

Abigail Jennings.
Oct. II, 1772. .. .Eunice Dennie, daughter of Ger-

shom and Priscilla Burr.
Nov. I, 1772 John, son of John and Eunice

Smedley.
Nov. I, 1772 Hezekiah, son of David and

Mary Osbom.
Nov. I, 1772 Anna, daughter of Jonathan and

Anna Silliman.
Jan. 17, 1773 Grissel, daughter of Abel and

Ellen Gold.
Feb. 14, 1773 Elizabeth Burr, daughter of Jo-
seph and Sarah Sturgis.
Feb. 28, 1773 Sally, daughter of Hezekiah and

Emely Silliman.
March 14, 1773. .. .Eunice, daughter of James and

Ellen Penfield.
March 28, 1773 William Burr, son of William

and Esther Dimon.
May 2. 1773 Eunice, daughter of John and

Eunice Penfield.
May 9, 1773. .. .Hezekiah, son of Hezekiah and

Ann Nichols.
May 16, 1773 Lydia, daughter of Ebenezer and

Lydia Hubbel.
May 30,1773. .. .Barnabas, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Bartram.
June 6, 1773 Eleazar, son of Nehemiah and

Sarah Burr.
June 6, 1773. .. .Priscilla, daughter of Jonatlian

and Sarah Ogden.
July 4, 1773 Thankful, daughter of Howes

and Mary Osborn.
July 25, 1773 Eleanor, daughter of Reuben and

Fallen Osborn.
Sept. 5, 1773 Hannah, daughter of Jonatli.in

and Hannah Bulkley.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 503

April i6, 1775.

Sept. 5, 1773 Betsey, daughter of Israel and

Hannah Bibbins.

Sept. 19, 1773 Josiah, son of Jonathan and

Deborah Sturgis.

Sept. 19, 1773 Cate, a negro child, servant to

Mr. Job Bartram.

Oct. 3, 1773 David, son of David and Sarah

Allen.
Oct. 31, 1773 Lyman, son of John and Han-
nah Godfry.

Oct. 31, 1773 Aaron, son of Abijah and Mary

Morehouse.
Nov. 21, 1773. .. .Samuel, son of Samuel and Han-
nah Andrews, deceased, being
offered by his grandmother,
the widow, Ruth Wakeman

Dec. 12, 1773 Elijah, son of Stephen and

Abiah Turney.

Jan. 2, 1774 Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan

and Elizabeth Maltbie.

Feb. 22, 1774 David, son to Peter and Sarah

Perry.
April 10, 1774 Moses, son of Moses and Abi-
gail Jennings.

.\pril 10, 1774 , son of Eleazar and Sarah

Osborn.

June 26, 1774 Sarah, daughter of Daniel and

Lois Dimon.

July 3, 1774 Clarina, daughter of Jabez and

Martha Thorp.
July 3, 1774 Noah, son of Eliphalet and Eu-
nice Thorp.

July 3, 1774 Lydia, daughter of Justin and

Hannah Hobart.
Eunice, daughter of Nehemiah
and Lydia Phippany.

July 10, 1774 Priscilla Lothrop, daughter of

Gershom and Priscilla Burr.

Aug. 10, 1774 Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel

and Esther Smedley.
Oct. 30, 1774. .. .Andrew, son of James and Eliza-
beth Bulkley.
Nov. 13, 1774 Samuel, son of Samuel and Abi-
gail Sturgis.

Nov. 27, 1774 Anna, daughter of Toney and

Nanny, a negro child, offered
by Andrew Eliot,

Nov. 28, 1774 Jenny, a negro child, offered by

Deacon Bulkley.

Feb. 26, 1775 Abigail, daughter of William and

Esther Dimon.

March 5, 1775 Samuel, son of John and Eunice

Smedley.

March 5, 1775 Jonathan, son of Jonathan and

Elizabeth Maltby.
March 26, 1775 Noah, son of Nehemiah and Sa-
rah Burr.
April 7. 1775. .. .Gideon, son of Nathan and Ruth
Burr.

April 16, 1775 Toney, a negro servant to Mr.

Abel Gold.

Robin, a negro servant to Capt.
Samuel Squire.

May 14, 1775 Joseph, son of Joseph and Sarah

Sturgis.
May 14, 1775 Seth Burr, son of Abel and El-
len Gold.

May 14, 1775 Elijah, son of Ezra and Martha

Jennings.

May 28, 1775 Mary, daughter of Wakeman

and Mary Burr.

June 4, 1775 Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and

Anne Wakeman.
June 4, 1775 Jonathan Sturges, son of Eben-
ezer and Anne Wakeman.

June 4, 1775 Gershom, son of Hezekiah and

Anne Nichols.

June 4, 177s Stephen, son of Samuel, Jr., and

Sarah Beers.

June 18, 1775 Sarah, wife of Levi Mallcry.

June 25,1775 Nathaniel, son of Samuel and

Anne Squire.

June 25, 1775 Martha, daughter of Nathan and

Ruth Burr.

June 25, 1775 Isaac Couch, son of Ebenezer

and Lydia Hubbel.
June 25, 1775 Ebenezer, son of Levi and Sa-
rah Mallery.

June 25, 1775 Priscilla, daughter of Levi and

Sarah Mallery.

June 30, 1775 Gershom, son of Gershom and

Grizzel Osborne.

July 16, 1775 Mary, daughter of Andrew and

Mary Eliot.

July 16, 1775 Anne, daughter of James and

Ellen Penfield.
July 16, 1775 Sarah, daughter of Paul and Sa-
rah Nichols.

July 20. 1775 Elizabeth, daughter of Seth and

Ruth Morehouse.

Aug. 6, 1775 Ellen, daughter of David, Jr.,

and Sarah Allen.

Aug. 13, 1775 Mary, daughter of Jonathan and

Anne Silliman.

Aug. 19, 1765 Mary, daughter of Aaron and

Mary Hubbel.

Aug. 27, 1775 Martha, daughter of Aaron and

Mary Hubbel.

Aug. 27, 177s David, son of Aaron and Mary

Hubbel.

Aug. 27, 1775 Samuel, son of Samuel, Jr., and

Anne Guire.

Aug. 27, 1775 Anne, daughter of Samuel, Jr.,

and Anne Guire.

Sept. 17, 1775 Daniel, son of Daniel and .\nne

Burr.

Sept. 27, 1775 Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel

and Anne Burr.

Oct. 15, 1775 Jonathan, son of Jonathan and

Sarah Ogden.

Oct. 29, 1775 Oliver, son of Jonathan and

Deborah Sturges.

504

Nov.
llec,

Jan.
Jan.
Jan.

Jan.

Feb.

l-eb.

Feb.

March

March
March

April
May
May
May
May
J\inc
June
June

.»"iy

Aug.

HISTORY OF

26, 1775 Edward Allen, son of Abijah

and Mary Morehouse.

27, 17-S Toney, a negro child offered by

Jonathan and Deborah Stur-
ges.

7, 1776 Daniel Starr, son of Job and

Abigail Rartram.

21, 1776 Abigail, daughter of Isaac and

Abigail Jennings.

25, 1776 Eunice, daughter of Nathaniel

and Sarah Wilson.

25, 1776. .. .Burr, son of Samuel and Eliza-
beth Silliman.

25, 1776 Wakeman, son of Samuel and

Elizabeth Silliman.

25, 1776 Lois, daughter of Matthew and

Rebecca Jennings.

25, 1776 William, son of John, Jr., and

Elizabeth Wilson.

25, 1776 Abiah, daughter of Zechariah

and Eunice Jennings.

25, 1776 Pomp, a negro male child, of-
fered by Nathaniel Wilson.

18, 1776 Grizzel, daughter of Eleazer, Jr.,

and Sarah Osbom.

18, 1776 Billy, son of Israel and Hannah

Bibbins.

25, 1776 Daniel, son of Abraham and

Elizabeth Gold.

25, 1776 Hezekiah, son of Hezekiah and

Emilia Silliman.

25, T776 Nancy, daughter of Peter and

Sarah Perry.

27, 1776 Daniel, son of Daniel and Sarah

Wilson.

27, 1776 David, son of Daniel and Sarah

Wilson.

27, 1776 Samuel, son of Daniel and Sa-
rah Wilson.

27, 1776 Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac

and Sarah Morehouse.

9, 1776 Henry Stanley, son of Jonathan

and Hannah Bulkley.
12, 1776 Joel, son of Eliphalet and Eu-
nice Thorp.
19, 1776 Reuben, son of Reuben and El-
len Osbom.

19, 1776 Martha, daughter of Ebenezer

and Martha Perry.

27, 1776 Deodate, son of Deodatc and

Catharine Silliman.

23, 1776 Abel, son of Daniel and Sarah

Dimon.

23, 1776.... Ned, a negro male child, of-
fered by Job Bartram.

23, 1776 Flora, daughter of Toney and

Nanny (born in the house of
Andrew Eliot).

28, 1776 Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and

Mary Bartram.

3, 1776 Sally, daughter of Gcrshom and

Grizzel Osborn.

FAIRFIELD

Aug., 1776 Sarah, daughter of Daniel and

Sarah Wilson.

Sept. 22, 1776 John, son of Uriah and Sarah

Morehouse.

Sept. 22, 1776 Andrew, son of Levi and Sarah

Mallery.
Sept. 24, 1776. .. .Jeremiah, son of Jeremiah and
Elizabeth Jennings.

Oct. 20, 1776 Debby, daughter of Moses and

Abigail Jennings.
Oct. 27, 1776 Moses, son of James and Eliza-
beth Bulkley.

Nov. 3, 1776 Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew

and Mary Eliot.

Nov. 19, 1776 Joel, son of James and Sarah

McRaa.

Nov. 24, 1776 Stephen, son of David and Me-

hitabel Jennings.

Nov. 24, 1776 Abigail, daughter of David and

Mehitabel Jennings.

Dec. IS, 1776 Nance, negro servant to Mr.

Ebenezer Hill of Greenfield.

Jan. 13, 1777 Anne, daughter of Ebenezer and

Anne Wakeman.

Jan. 23, 1777 Sarah, daughter of Andrew and

Abigail Jennings.
Jan. 31, 1777. .. .Lyman, son of Seth and Ruth
Morehouse.

Feb. 23, 1777 Andrew, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Squire.

March 7, 1777 Thomas Staples, Jr.

March 7, 1777 Sarah Staples.

March 7, 1777 Samuel, son of Thomas and Han-
nah Staples.
March 7, 1777 Jesse, son of Thomas and Han-
nah Staples.
March 7, 1777 Walter, son of Thomas and Han-
nah Staples.

March 16, 1777 Abigail, daughter of Samuel, Jr.,

and Anne Squire.

March 23, 1777 Isaac, son of Job and Elizabeth

Bartram.

March 23, 1777 Phoebe, daughter of John and

Eunice Smedley.
March 23, 1777. .. .Elizabeth, daughter of Hezekiah

and Anne Nichols.
April 6, 1777 Toney, negro servant to Mr. Da-
vid Allen.
April 6, 1777 Cato, negro servant to Mr. Da-
vid Allen.

April 15, 1777 Mary Squire

May 8, 1777 Priscilla, daughter of William

and Esther Dimon.

June 17, 1777 Hannah, daughter of Abel and

Ellen Gold.

June 22, 1777 Joel, son of Stephen and Abiah

Turney.
July 20, 1777 Daniel, son of Nathan and Pa-
tience Thorp.

July 30, 1777 Elizabeth, daughter of Ezra and

Martha Jennings.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 505

July 30, 1777 Betsey, daughter of James and

Elizabeth Jennings.
Sept. 7, 1777 Gershom, son of Gershom and

Grizzel Osborne.
Sept. 9, 1777 Noah, son of Nehemiah and

Sarah Burr.
Sept. 8, 1777 Sarah, daughter of Stratten and

Rhoda Osborn.
Nov. 2, 1777.... Gold Selleck, son of Gold Sel-

leck and Mary Silliman.
Nov. 2, 1777 Thaddeus, son of Peter and

Esther Burr.
Nov. s. 1777 Abigail, daughter of Jabez and

Abigail Hubbel.
Nov. 9, 1777 Mabel, daughter of David and

Mehitabel Jennings.
Dec. 14, 1777. .. .Oliver, son of Jonathan and

Deborah Sturges.
Dec. 28, 1777. .. .Eunice, daughter of John, Jr.,

and Elizabeth Sqiiire.
Jan. 18,1778 Priscilla, daughter of Deodate

and Catherine Silliman.
Jan. 18, 1778. .. .Nathaniel Silliman, son of Israel

and Hannah Bibbins.
Feb. 15, 1778 Hannah, daughter of Justin and

Hannah Hobart.

;March 8,1778 Mary Annable.

April 15, 1778 Michael, son of Matthew and

Rebecca Jennings.
April 15, 1778 Eunice, daughter of Isaac and

Sarah Morehouse.
April 15, 1778 Peggy, a negro child, belonging

to Matthew Jennings.
April IS, 1778 Pomp, a negro child, belonging

to Matthew Jennings.
April 26, 1778 Mabel, daughter of Peter and

Sarah Perry.
May 10, 1778 David, son of Nehemiah and

Lydia Phippeny.
May 10, 1778 Tom, a negro child, offered by

Gold Selleck Silliman.
June 14, 1778 Abijah, son of Abijah and Mary

Morehouse.
July 5, 1778 Primus, a negro child, belong-
ing to Jonathan Darrow, of-
fered by Nero, his father.
July 12, 1778 Edward, son of David and Sarah

Allen.
July 12, 1778 Ezra Hawley, son of Ezra and

Martha Jennings.
July 26, 1778 Levi, son of Moses and Abigail

Jennings.
Aug. 2, 1778 William, son of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.
Aug. 2, 1778 Abraham, son of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.
Aug. 2, 1778 Betsey, daughter of Jeremiah

and Elizabeth Jennings.
Aug. 16, 1778. .. .Eunice Burr, daughter of An-
drew and Mary Eliot.
Sept. 4, 1778.... Mabel, daughter of Charles and

Burr.

Sept. 6, 1778 Elizabeth, daughter of Ruth and

Seth Morehouse.
Sept. 6, 1778 Debby, daughter of Ebenezer

and Mary Squire.
Sept. 13, 1778 Anne, daughter of Stephen and

• Thorp.

Oct. 25, 1778 Aaron, son of Ebenezer and

Lydia Hubbel.
Nov. J, 1778 Miriam, a negro child, offered

by Howes Osborne.
Dec. 27, 1778 John, son of Job and Elizabeth

Bartram.
Jan. 17, 1779 Esther Perry, daughter of Eliph-

alet and Eunice Thorp.
Jan. 24, 1779 Esther, daughter of Nehemiah

and Abia Fowler.
Jan. 31, 1779 Priscilla, daughter of Nathan,

Jr., and Mehitabel Beers.
Feb. IS, 1779 Molly, daughter of Abel, Jr., and

Elizabeth Gold.
March 7, 1779 Huldah, daughter of Daniel and

Lois Dimon.
r^Iarch 21, 1779 Hannah, daughter of Levi and

Sarah Mallery.
March 28, 1779 Sally, daughter of Abel and

Amelia Gold.
April 18, 1779- ••■Seth, son of Gershom and Griz-
zel Osborn.
May 2, 1779 Jonathan, son of Jonathan and

Molly Darrow.
May 2, 1779.... Sally, daughter of Peter and Eu-
nice Jennings.
May 9, 1779 Daniel Beers, son of David and

Mary Osborn.
June 6, 1779 Isaac, son of Joseph and Grizzel

Bulkley.
Clarina, daughter of Joseph and

Grizzel Bulkley.
June 6, 1779 James Chester, son of Jonathan

and Hannah Bulkley.
June 12, 1779 Sarah, daughter of Ellen and

Lothrop Lewis.
June 13, 1779 Samuel, son of John and Eunice

Smedley.
June 27, 1779 Hannah, daughter of Eleazer, Jr.,

and Sarah Osborn.
July II, 1779. .. .Dorcas, negro servant to Deacon

Bulkley.
July II, 1779 Primus, Kate and Nance, negro

children, servants to Deacon

Bulkley; offered by him and

Sarah, his wife (baptized at

the house of Deacon Bulkley).
.\ug. IS, 1779 Mary, daughter of James and

Elizabeth Bulkley; baptized

at the house of Peter Perry.
.\ug. 15, 1779 Jonathan, son of VV'alter and

Ruth Buddington, at the house

of Peter Perry.
Aug. 31, 1779 Mary, daughter of Nehemiah

and Lydia Phippeny.

5o6

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Sept. 12, 1779.
Sept. 12, 1779.

Sept. 19. 1779-

Nov. 28, 1779- ■

Dec. s, 1779- •

Dec. 9, 1779..

Dec. 26, 1779- •

Feb. 13, 1780..

Feb. 20, 1780..

Feb. 20, 1780. .

March 19, 1780..

March 26, 1780. .

April 2, 1780..

April 9, 1780..

May 14, 1780. .

May 28, 1780..

May 28, 1780. .

July 9, 1780...

Aug. 20, 1780...

Oct. 29, 1780...

Nov., 1780...

Nov. 12, 1780. . .
Dec. i6, 1780...
Dec. 17, 1780...

..Sarah Wilson, daughter of Sam-
uel, Jr., and Ann Squire.

..Andrew Eliot, son of Joseph and
Sarah Squire.
Both the above in the house
of Elizabeth Morehouse —
Jennings VVoods.

..Hannah, daughter of David and
Mehitabel Jennings.

..Henry, son of Ebenezer and
Anne Wakeman.

..Phoebe, daughter of Israel and
Abigail Jennings.

..Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer
and Sarah Sturges.

..Sarah, daughter of Peter and
Esther Burr.

.Samuel, son of Isaac and Sarah
IMorehouse — Jennings Woods.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan
and Deborah Sturges.

.Mary, daughter of Ebenezer and
Mary Squire.

.Amos, son of Robin and Dor-
cas.

.Parthena, daughter of Seth and
Ruth Morehouse — Jennings

Woods.

.Phebe, daughter of Joseph and
Christian Silliman.

.Andrew, son of Jeremiah and
Elizabeth Jennings.

.Stephen, son of Stephen and
(Irizzel Osborn.

.Daniel, son of Josiah and Abi-
gail Beardslee.

.Peter Hendrick, son of Wright
and Esther White.

.Seth, son of Peter and Sarah
Perry.

.Burr, son of Ichabod and

Gold.

.Mary Silliman, daughter of Dan-
iel and Sarah Wilson — Jen-
nings Woods.

.Jesse, son of Ezra and Martha
Jennings — Jennings Woods.

.Ebenezer, son of Nathan, Jr.,
and Mehitabel Beers.

.Andrew, son of Andrew and
Mary Eliot.

.Samuel, son of Samuel and Sa-
rah Beers.

.Toney, son of Toney, servant to
Abel Gold, and Dorcas, ser-
vant to Deacon Bulkley.

.Sturges, son of John and

Penf^eld.

Hannah, daughter of Nehemiah
and Sarah Burr.

Walter, son of Walter and Ruth
Buddington.

Jan. 14, 1781 Anne, daughter of Daniel and

Lois Dimon.

Jan. 28, 1781 Sturges, son of John and Jane

Parsons.

Jan. 28, 1781 Sarah, daughter of Jabez and

Rhoda Hubbel.
Feb. 19, 1781 Jemmy, son of Andrew and Eliz-
abeth Rowland.

March 4, 1781 John Sloss, son of Justin and

Hannah Hobart.
March 11, 1781. .. .Sherwood, son of Gershom and
Grizzel Osborn.

March II, 1781 Anna, daughter of Lothrop and

Ellen Lewis.

April 8, 1781 Rowland Hughes, son of Wright

and Esther White.

April 15, 1781 Gold, son of Abijah and Mary

Morehouse.

April 29, 1781 David, son of David and Mary

Osborn.

April 29, 1781 Abigail, daughter of Israel and

Hannah Bibbins.

May 6, 1781 Mary, daughter of Eleazer, Jr.,

and Sarah Osborn.

May 6, 1781 Esther, daughter of Eleazer, Jr.,

and Sarah Osborn.

June 10, 1781 Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen

and Grizzel Osborn.

June ID, 1781 Isaac Howes, son of John and

Mary Osborn.

June 17, 1781 Joseph, son of Joseph and Sarah

Squire.

July I, 1781 Betsey, daughter of Reuben and

Abigail Sherwood.

Aug. 26, 1781 Daniel, son of Seth and Ruth

Morehouse.

Sept. 2, 1781 Frecland, son of Levi and Sarah

Mallery.
Oct. 7, 1781 Joseph, son of Peter and Han-
nah Penfield.
Oct. 14, 1781 Joseph, son of Ebenezer and Sa-
rah Sturges.

Oct. 14, 1781 Joseph Bartram, son of John and

Elizabeth Wasson.
Nov. II, 1781. . . .Lucretia Burr, daughter of Jon-
athan and Deborah Sturges.

Nov. n, 1781 Abraham Gold, son of Isaac and

Abigail Jennings.

Dec. 2, 1781 Andrew, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Squire.
Dec. 23, 1781 Heathcote Muirson, son of Eliz-
abeth Penfield.

Jan. 22, 1782 Abigail, daughter of Samuel and

Abigail Sturges.
Feb. 10, 1782 Patty Nancy, daughter of Will-
iam and Phoebe Silliman.

March 12, 1782 Jesse Weeks, of Huntington,

Long Island, was baptized on
his bed at the house of Mr.
Brown, at Mill River.
April 12, 1782. .. .Simon, son of Fortune and Time,

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 507

a negro servant to Howes Os-
borne.
April 14, 1782 Eunice, daughter of Peter and

Sarah Perry.
April 14, 1782 Sarah, daughter of Hezekiah and

Anne Nichols.
April 28, 1782 Susanna, daughter of David and

Mehitabel Jennings.
^Isy 5. 1782 Thomas Handford, son of Eben-

ezer and Anne Wakeman.

May 26, 1782 Philip, son of Robin and Dorcas.

June 24, 1782 Betsey, daughter of Abraham

and Mary Perry.
June 2-j, 1782 John, son of David and Sarah

Squire.
June 28, 1782 Hill, grandson of David and

Elizabeth Patchin.
July 14, 1782 Sarah, daughter of David and

Mary Dickenson.
July 21, 1782 Sue, servant to Gold Selleck Sil-

liman, Esq.

July 21, 1782 Lois, daughter of Tego and Sue.

July 28, 1782 Eli, son of Quash and Rose.

Aug. 18, 1782 Esther, daughter of John and

Eunice Smedley.
Aug. 25, 1782 Abigail, daughter of Jonathan

and Elizabeth Maltby.
Aug. 25, 1782 John Squire, son of David and

Sarah Wilson.
Sept. 4, 1782 Ephraim, son of Ezra and Mar-
tha Jennings.
Sept. 4, 1782 David, Erastus, Enos and Sa-
rah, children of David and Sa-
rah Squire.
.Sept. 4, 1782 Catherine, daughter of Benjamin

and Elizabeth Knap.
Sept. 4, 1782 Sarah, daughter of Isaac and

Sarah Morehouse.
Sept. 4, 1782 Ama, a negro child, oflFered by

Rebecca Jennings.
Oct. 13, 1782 Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Sarah Squire.
Oct. 2T, 1782 Anna, daughter of William and

Anne Morehouse.
Nov. 3, 1782 Sarah, daughter of Andrew and

Mary Eliot.
Nov. 3, 1782 James, son of Jabez and Rhoda

Hubbel.
Nov. 3, 1782 Patience, daughter of Chauncy

and Carolina Matilda Wheeler.
Nov. 3, 1782 John, son of John and Mary

Osborn.
Nov. 3, 1782 Abigail, daughter of Nathan and

Mehitabel Beers.
Dec. 1, 1782 Stephen, son of David and Sarah

Allen.
Dec. I, 1782 Grizzel, daughter of John and

Anne Williams.
Dec. 18, 1782 Lois, daughter of Nathaniel,

Jr., and Ruth Wilson.
Dec. 29, 1782 John Jackson, son of John and

Elizabeth Wasson.

Jan. 19, 1783 Sally, daughter of Abigail Burr.

Feb. 2, 1783 Polly and Esther, daughters of

Dimon and Sarah Sturges.

Feb. 5, 1783 Aaron, son of John and Hannah

Perry.

Feb. 23, 1783 Sally, daughter of Nehemiah and

Abia Fowler.

Feb. 24, 1783 Sally, daughter of Gershom and

Grizzel Osborn.

March 2, 1783 Eunice, daughter of Peter and

Esther Burr.

April 6, 1783 Polly, daughter of Alexander,

and Ward, son of Joseph and
Grizzel Bulkley.

April 13, 1783 Thomas, Nancy, Henry Judson,

Harriet and Abigail, children
of Judson and Abigail Sturges.

April 20, 1783 Squire, son of Aaron and Sarah

Turney.

April 28, 1783. . . .Priamus, a negro male child, of-
fered by Thaddeus Burr, Esq.,
and Eunice, his wife.

May 4, 1783 Henry, son of Abijah and Mary

Morehouse.

May 4, 1783 Peter, son of Edmund and Olive

Burr.

May 18, 1783 Rachel, daughter of Tego and

Sue.

May 7, 1783 Jacob, child of Thomas and Su-
sanna Aylwood.

May 21, 1783 Jacob, son of Jacob and Eliza-
beth June.

June IS, 1783 Walter, son of Reuben and Abi-
gail Sherwood.

June 18, 1783 Joseph and Morehouse, twin

sons of Joseph and Elizabeth
Bulkley.

July 27, i783....Priscilla, daughter of Jonathan
and Deborah Sturges.

July 27, 1783 Azor, son of Stephen and Grizzel

Osborn.

Aug. 3, 1783 Cato, a male child, and Luce, a

female, two negro children of-
fered by Jonathan Sturges.

Oct. 24,1783 Polly, daughter of David and

Mary Dickenson.

Oct. 26, 1783 William, son of Jabez and Su-
sanna Perry.

Nov. 2, 1783 David, son of Peter and Mary

Hull.

Dec. 7, 1783 Edward, son of Walter and Ruth

Buddington.

Dec. 7, 1783 Toney, a negro male rhild, of-
fered by Mrs. Anne Dimon.

Dec. 14, 1783 Eunice, daughter of David and

Sally Ogden.

Dec. 29, 1783 Eunice, daughter of John and

Rue Robinson.

Jan. 4, 1784 Bradley, son of Peter and Sarah

Perry.
Feb. 8, 1784.... Eunice, daughter of William and
Molly Pike.

5o8

Feb.

March

April

May

June

July

Aug.

Aug.
Sept.
Sept.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.

24, 1784

24. 1784

24, 1784

29, 1784

21, 1784

4, 1784
n, 1784

16, 1784
2, 1784

2, 1784.
6, 1784
6, 1784

20, 1784
27, 1784
27, 1784

4- 1784
29. 1784.

29, 1784
12, 1784
12, 1784

10, 1784

17. 1784
24, 1784
24, 1784

21. 1784
21, 1784

11. 1784

9, 178s
9. 178s
9, '785

HISTORY OF

.Samuel, son of Stephen, Jr., and

Ellen Addams.
.Samuel, son of Isaac and Sarah

Morehouse.
.Nathaniel Fayerweather, son of

Benjamin and Elizabeth Knap.
, .Debby, daughter of Levi and

Sarah Mallery.
.Phoebe, daughter of Joshua and

Abigail Davis.
..William, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Squire.
..Anna,* daughter of Peter and

Esther Burr.
..William, son of Jonathan and

Elizabeth Maltby.
..Ebenezer, son of William and

Eunice Burr.
..James, son of John and Eliza-
beth Wasson.
.Anna, daughter of Nathan and

Mary Jennings.
..John, son of Ezra and Martha

Jennings.
..Henry Lewis, son of Nathaniel

and Rachel Penfield.
. .Jerusha Talcot, daughter of

. John and Mary Osborn.
..Clarissa, daughter of Samuel,

Jr., and Abigail Burr.
. .Lucretia, daughter of Samuel,

Jr., and Abigail Burr.
.Samuel, son of Joseph and Sa-
rah Squire.
.Sarah, daughter, and William,

son, twin children of William

and Anne Morehouse.
, .Huldah, daughter of Chauncey

and Carolina Matilda Wheeler.
..Eunice, daughter of Daniel and

Lois Dimon.
..Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Grizzel Bulkley.
.Joseph Fish, son of Joseph and

Amelia Noyes.
, .Eben Perry, son of Dimon and

Sarah Sturges.
.Nathan, son of Nathan and Me-

hitabel Beers.
.Sarah, daughter of Joseph and

Sarah Sturges.
.Gideon, son of Gideon and Han-
nah Hawley.
..Samuel, son of Abel, Jr., and

Elizabeth Gold.
.Mary, daughter of John, Jr., and

Mary Knap.
..Joseph, son of David and Sarah

Allen.
..Susanna, daughter of Jabcz and

Susanna Perry.
. .Toncy.son of Toney and Dorcas.

FAIRFIELD

Jan. 23, 1785 Sally, daughter of Jacob and

Elizabeth June.
Feb. 20, 1785 Elizabeth, daughter of Lothrop

and Ellen Lewis.
Feb. 2T, 1785. .. .Esther, daughter of George and

Huldah Allen.
March 20, 1785 Eben, son of Peter and Eunice

Jennings.
March 20, 1785 Elizabeth, daughter of Wright

and Esther White.
March 20, 1785. .. .David, son of David and

Redfield.
April ID, 1785 Josiah, son of Samuel, Jr., and

Abigail Burr.
May I, 1785 Sarah, daughter of Caleb and

Anna Brewster.
May 1, 1785 John, son of William and Molly

Pike.
May 15,1785 Benjamin, son of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.
May 15, 1785 Ephraim, son of Jeremiah and

Elizabeth Jennings.
May IS, 1785 Samuel, son of Walter and

Ruth Buddington.
May 15, 1785 Mary, daughter of Abraham Cro-
sier and Eunice Woodhull.
May 15, 1785 Deborah, daughter of Benjamin

and Esther Dickenson.
May IS, 1785 Dimon, son of Peter and Mary

Hull.
June 12, 1785 Amelia, daughter of William and

Eunice Burr.
June 19, 1785. .. .W'illiam Bennet, son of Ezra and

Martha Jennings.

June ig, 1785 Amos, son of Tego and Sue.

June 26, 1785 David, son of Jesse and Ellen

Burr.
July 10, 1785 Josiah, son of Nathaniel and

Rachel Penfield.
July 17, 1785 Annie, daughter of Quash and

Rose.
July 31, 1785 Ruth Martha, daughter of An-
drew and Mary Eliot.
-Aug. 28, 1785 Anna, daughter of Isaac and

Abigail Jennings.
Sept. 4, 1785. .. .Grizzel, daughter of Gershom

and Grizzel Osborn.
Nov. 20, 1785. .. .Nanny, a negro child, offered

by Mrs. Sarah Bibbins.
Nov. 27, 1785... .Betsey, daughter of Ebenezer

and Mary Squire.
Jan. 29, 1786 Bradley, son of Peter and Sarah

Perry.
Feb. 19, 1786 Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph

and Sarah .Squire.
Feb. 26, 1786 Hannah and Sally, daughters of

Israel and Hannah Bibbins.
Feb. 26, 1786 Sally, daughter of Reuben and

Abigail Sherwood.

March 26, 1786 Aaron Rawlins.

March 26, 1786 Ruthy and Eunice, daughters of

Paul and Sarah Nichols.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 509

March 26, 1786..

March 26, 1786. .

April 16, 1786..

April :6, 1786..

April 16, 1786..

June 4. 1786.

June 4, 1786.,

June

18,

1786.

June

18,

1786.

June

18,

1786.

June

iS,

17S6.

June

18,

1786.

July

1786.

Aug.

1786.

Aug.

13.

1786.

Aug.

20,

1786.

Sept.

1786.

Sept.

1786.

Sept.

1786.

Sept.

10,

1786

Sept.

10,

1786

June,

1786.

Sept.
Sept.
Sept.
Sept.

24,

24,
24,
24.

1786
1786
1786
1786

Nov.

19,

1786

Nov.
Nov.

26,
26,

1786
1786

Nov.

30.

1786.

Nov.

30,

1786.

..Esther, daughter of Peter and

Esther Burr.
..Eunice, daughter of Aaron and

Mary Rawlins.
..Chary, daughter of David and

Sally Ogden.
..Chary, daughter of Stephen and

Grizzel Osborn.
. .Eliphalet, son of Stephen and

Sarah Stratton.
..Andrew, son of Abel and Debo-
rah Turney.
..Levi, son of Levi and Sarah

Mallery.
..Adad and Medad, twin sons of
Joseph and Elizabeth Bulkley.
..Stephen, son of Aaron and Sa-
rah Turney.
..Mary, daughter of Joseph and

Sarah Hayes.
..Ruth, daughter of Stephen and

Ellen Adams.
..Priscilla, daughter of Moses and

Sarah Hull.
..David, son of Chauncey and

Carolina Matilda Wheeler.
..William, son of Peter and Mary

Hull.
..Stephen, son of Abel, Jr., and

Elizabeth Gold.
..John, son of Joseph and Amelia

Noyes.
..Isaac, son of Joseph and Aurelia

Darling.
...Walter, son of Joseph and Eu-
nice Stratton.
...Betsey and Nabby, daughters of

Samuel and Grace Stratton.
. . .James, son of Solomon and

Amelia Sturges.
...Eunice, daughter of Ebenezer

and Sarah Sturges.
...Esther, daughter of David and

■ Redfield.

...Mary Anne, daughter of Will'am

and Eunice Richards of New

London.
...Anna Annable.
. . .Mary Tucker.
. . .Phebe Sturges.
...Eunice, daughter of Joseph and

Grizzel Bulkley.
...Polly, daughter of Nathan and

Mary Jennings.
. . . Uriah, son of Jesse and Ellen Burr.
...Jonathan, son of Eleazer and

Mary Bulkley.
...Thomas, son of Ezra and Martha

Jennings.
...Jonathan Maltby, son, and Mary,

daughter of Samuel, Jr., and

Anne Squire.

Nov. 30, 1786. .. .Wilson, son, and Mary, daugh-
ter, of David and Sarah
Squire.

Nov. 30, 1786 Catherine, daughter of Amos and

Ellen Wilson.

Nov. 30, 1786 Robert, son, and Elizabeth and

Ruth, daughters, of Ebenezer
and Mary Knap.
Nov. 30, 1786. .. .Nathaniel, son, and Ruth and
Sally, daughters of Abraham
and Ruth Morehouse.

Nov. 30, 1786 Charity, daughter of Benjamin

and Elizabeth Knap.

Nov. 30, 1786 Priscilla and Nancy, two negro

children, offered by Mrs Re-
becca Jennings.
The fifteen last baptized at
a lecture in the house of
Mrs. Catherine Wilson.

Dec. 17, 1786 Jonathan Lewis, son of Caleb

and Anna Brewster.
Dec. 31, 1786.... Wright Weeks.

Dec. 31, 1786 William, son of William and

Molly Pike.

Jan. 7, 1787 Jonathan, son of Lathrop and

Ellen Lewis.

Jan. 7, 1787 Joseph Perry, son of Wright and

Mary Weeks.
Jan. 7, 1787 James, son of Joshua and Abi-
gail Davis.

Jan. 28, 1787 David, son, Sarah, daughter, and

Ebenezer, son, of William and
Esther (deceased) Dimon.

Jan. 28, 1787 Clary, daughter of Josiah and

Eunice Patchin.

Jan. 28, 1787 Sarah, daughter of Dimon and

Sarah Sturges.
Feb. I, 1787 Ruth, the wife of Nathaniel Wil-
son, Jr., at a lecture in Jen-
nings Woods, at the house of
Nathaniel Wilson, Jr.

Feb. I, 1787 Ruth Sarah Silliman and Mary,

daughters of John, Jr., and
Mary Knap.

Feb. I, 1787 Seth Silliman, son of Nathaniel,

Jr., and Ruth Wilson.
Feb. 26, 1787. .. .Oliver, son of Ephraim and Sa-
rah Robbins.

March 25, 1787 Polly, daughter of Nathan, Jr.,

and Mehitabel Beers.
April I, 1787 James, son of Jabez and Su-
sanna Perry.

April 14, 1787 Abel, son of Daniel and Lois

Dimon.

April 14, 1787 Abigail, daughter of Ebenezer

and Mary Squire.

May 6, 1787 Joseph, son of Abraham and

Ruth Morehouse
May 7, 1787. .. .Chary, a female child, offered by
Nathaniel and Hannah Pierson.
May 20, 1787. .. .Stephen, son of William and
Anne Morehouse.

510

May 20, 1787 Cloe, a negro child, offered by

Mrs. Abigail, the widow of
Judson Sturges.

July 8, 1787 Sarah, daughter of David and

Sarah Allen.
July 29, 1787 Nathan Burroughs, son of Na-
than and Anna Whiting.

July 29, 1787 Anna, daughter of Jonathan and

Elizabeth Maltby.

Aug. 2, 1787 Ruthy, daughter of Walter and

Ruth Buddington.

Aug. 5, 1787 Eunice, daughter of William and

Eunice Burr.

Aug. 12, 1787 Cloe, daughter of Tego and Sue.

Aug. 26, 1787 Mary, daughter of John and

Mary Osborn.

Sept. 9, 1787 Cloe, daughter of Toney and

Dorcas.

Sept. 30, 1787 Jemmy, son of Solomon and

Amelia Sturges.

Nov. 4, 1787 Ephraim and James, sons of

Hezekiah and Mary Burr.
Nov. 4, 1787 Alden, son of John, Jr., and Sa-
rah Wilson.

Nov. 4, 1787 Lewis, son of Joseph and Eunice

Stratton.

Nov. II, 1787 Ruthy, daughter of James, Jr.,

and Mary Penfield.

Dec. 2, 1787 Harriet, daughter of Paul and

Mabel Sheffield.

Dec. 9, 1787 Debby, daughter of Hezekiah

and Ellen Gold.

Feb. 3, 1788 Sarah, daughter of Wright and

Esther White.

March 23, 1788 Nabby, daughter of Samuel, Jr.,

and Abigail Burr.

March 30, 1788 Abigail, daughter of Ebenezer

and Hannah Bulkley.
April 6, 1788 Poll, daughter of Peter and Sa-
rah Perry.

April 13, 1788 Sarah and Mary, daughters, John

and George, sons, of Ebenezer
and Hannah Bulkley.

May 18, 1788 Alfred, son of Joe and Sarah

Perry.

June 8, 1788 Anna, daughter of Peter and

Mary Hull.
June 8, 1788 Ruth, daughter of Amos and El-
len Wilson.
June 22, 1788.. Stephen, .son of Aaron and Sarah
Turney.

June 22, 1788 Anna, daughter of Joseph and

Grizzel Bulkley.

July 6, 1788 Samuel Warner, son of Ezra and

Martha Jennings.
July 6, i788....Thanael Perry, son of Nathan,
Jr., and Mehitabcl Beers.

July 13, 1788 Richard, son of William and

Molly Pike.

July 13, 17R8 Samuel, son of Elnnlhan and

Smith.

July 13. 1788.... Job, son of Tego and Sue.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Aug. 3, 1788.

Aug. 31, 1788.

Nov. 16, 1788.

Nov. 23, 1788.

Nov. 30, 1788.

Nov. 30, 1788..

Dec. 7, 1788.,

Dec. 14, 1788.

Jan. 8, 1789.,

Jan. II, 1789..

Jan. II, 1789..,

Jan. II, 1789..

Jan. 18, 1789..

March 8, 1789..

April 26. 1789. .

May 24. 1789..

May 31, 1789..

June 2, 1789..

June

July

Aug.

7, 1789..
21. 1789..
19. 1-89..

9, 1789..

9. 1789. ■
16, 1789..

Aug. 16, 1789. .

...Hannah, daughter of Stephen

and Mary Fowler.
...Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and

Elizabeth June.
. ..Chretia, daughter of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.
...John, son of George and Hul-

dah Allen.
. ..Wakeman, son of Wakeman and

Mary Burr.
. ..Selleck and Silas, twin sons of

Paul and Sarah Nichols.
...James, son of Joseph and Amelia

Noyes.
...Chretia, daughter of Aaron and

Mary Rawlins.
...Walter, son of David and Sally

Ogden.
..Stephen, son of Jabez and Su-
sanna Perry.
..Joseph, son of William and Mary

Sturges.
..Isaac, son of Isaac and Abigail

Jennings.
..Sarah, daughter of Josiah and

Eunice Patchin.
..Phillis, a negro child, offered by

Mr. George Allen.
..Burr, son of Ebenezer and Mary

Squire.
.Wilson, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Knap.
..Joseph, son of Joseph and Sarah

Hayes.
..Sally, daughter of James, Jr.,

and Mary Penfield.
..Sturges, son of Caleb and Anna

Brewster.
..Hannah, daughter of Jonathan

and Elizabeth Maltby
..Anson, son of Abraham and

Ruth Morehouse.
. .Dimon, son of Dimon and Sarah
Sturges.

..Ebenezer, son of Noah and

Beers.
..Ellen, daughter of Abel and

Deborah Turney.
..George Hoyt, son of Samuel, Jr.,

and Hannah Penfield.
..Robert, son of Nathaniel and

Rachel Penfield.
.David Ogden. son of Edward

and Elizabeth Sturges.
.Sarah, daughter of Levi and Sa-
rah Mallery.
.Daniel, son of Asa and Polly

Turney.
.Charlotte, daughter of Nathan

and Mary Jennings.
.Eliphalct Thorp, son of Paul and
Mabel Sheffield.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 511

Aug.

16,

17S9.

Aug.

23,

1789.

Sept.

1789.

Sept.

20,

1789.

Oct.

1789.

Oct.

17S9.

Oct.

22,

1789.

Oct.

-'5.

1789.

Nov.

22,

1789.

Dec.

13.

1789.

Dec.

20,

1789.

Jan.

1790.

Jan.

17.

1790.

March 28,

1790.

March

30,

1790.

April

25.

1790.

May

1790.

May

1790.

May

1790.

May

30.

1790.

June

13,

1790.

June

20.

1790.

July

1790.

July

1790.

July

18,

1790.

Aug.
Aug.
Aug.

1790.
1790.
1790.

Aug.

1790.

Aug.

1790.

Aug.

1790.

.Rhoda, daughter of Quash and
Rose.

.William, son of Miah and Eliza-
beth Perry.

.Phebe, daughter of Chauncey
and Carolina Matilda Wheeler.

.Anna, daughter of John and
Mary Osborn.

.Reuben, son of Reuben and Abi-
gail Sherwood.

.Peggy, daughter of Wright and
Mary Weeks.

.Esther, daughter of Walcot and
Joanna Bennet.

.Sukey, daughter of Elnathan and
• Smith.

.Abigail, daughter of Peter and
Esther Burr.

.Andrew, son of Eleazer and
Mary Bulkley.

.Sally and Chary, daughters of
Talcot and Anna Gold.

.Susanna, daughter of William
and Eunice Burr.

.Maretta, daughter of Solomon
and Amelia Sturges.

.Betsey, daughter of Peter and
Sarah Perry.

.Mary Bartram, daughter of Dan-
iel, Jr., and Mary Osborn.

.Samuel Lewis, son of Samuel,
Jr., and Hannah Penfield.

.Henry, son of Samuel, Jr., and
Abigail Burr.

.Sarah, daughter of Joshua and
Abigail Davis.

.Polly, daughter of William and
Molly Pike.

.Jacob, a negro male child, of-
fered by William and Molly
Pike.

.Anna, daughter of Joseph and
Grizzel Bulkley.

.Boston, a negro male child, of-
fered by Deacon Bulkley and
Sarah, his wife.

.William, son of Walter and Ruth
Buddington.

.Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham
and Anna Gold.

.Charles, son of Joseph and Sa-
rah Squire.

.Hannah Tucker.

.Sarah Smith.

.Abigail and Esther, daughters of
Isaac and Abigail Jarvis.

.Frederick, son of Barlow and
Eunice Sturges.

.William, son of William and
Esther Squire.

.Zalmon, son of John and Eunice
Godfrey.

Aug. 8, 1790..

Aug. 29, 1790..

Sept. s, 1790..

Oct. 7, 1790..

Oct. 6, 1790..

Oct. 7, 1790..

Oct. 7, 1790. .

Oct. 7, 1790..

Oct. 17, 1790

Nov. 21, 1790

Dec. 5, 1790

Dec. 5, 1790,

Dc. 19, 1790.

Dec, 1790

Dec. 26, 1790,

Jan. 2, 1791

Jan. 16, 1791

Jan. 23, 1791

Feb. 20, 1791

Feb. 27, 1791

..Anna, daughter of Caleb and
Anna Brewster.

..Sophia, daughter of John and
Elizabeth Wasson.

..Benjamin, son of Amos and
Ellen Wasson.

..John, son of David and Eliza-
beth Patchin, at a lecture in
the house of David Patchin.

..Mary, a daughter of David and
Elizabeth Patchin, at a lec-
ture in the house of David
Patchin.

. .Ephraim, grandson of David and
Elizabeth Patchin, at a lecture
in the house of David Patchin.

..Joseph, son of Walcot and Jo-
anna Bennet, at the house of
David Patchin, at a lecture
there.

..David, son of Walcot and Jo-
anna Bennet, at a lecture in
the house of David Patchin.

..Ellen, daughter of Walcot and
Joanna Bennet, at a lecture in
the house of David Patchin.

..Ruth, daughter of Stephen and
Ellen Adams, at a lecture in
the house of David Patchin.
The real name of this child is
Polly, but the father, through
mistake, or being disconcerted,
spoke it Ruth. They have a
daughter named Ruth, who
was baptized June 18th, 1786.

..Joseph Strong, son of .Stephen
and Mary Fowler.

..Jerusha, daughter of Josiah and
Eunice Patchin.

..Sarah Dimon, daughter of Will-
iam and Mary Sturges.

..Susanna, daughter of Andrew
and Mary Eliot.

..Wakeman, son of James, Jr., and
Mary Penfield.

.Anna, daughter of Aaron and
Mary Rawlins.

..Jenny, daughter of Toney and
Dorcas Freeman.

..George, son of George and IIul-
dah Allen.

..Thaddeus, son of Gershom and
Susanna Burr.

..Ebenezcr, son of Ebenezer and
.Sarah .Sturges.

..Polly, daughter of Ebenezer and
Mary Knap.

..Betsey, daughter of Squire and
Lydia Nichols.

..Seth, son of Isaac and Abigail
Jennings.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

March 21, 1791. .,

March 31, 1791..

March 31, 1791.

May 8, 1791..

May 29, 1791..

June 5, I79I--

June 12, 1791- •

June 12, 1791..,

June :2, 1791..,

June 26, 1791...

July I, 1791...

July 3, 1791...

Aug. 7, 1791...

Sept. 18, 1791...

Oct. 2, 1791...

Oct. 9, 1791...

Oct. 16, 1791...

Nov. 6, 1791...

Nov. 13, 1791...

Nov. 20, 1 79 1...

Nov. 24, 1 791...

Dec, 1791...

Dec. 4, 1791...

Dec. 4, 1791. . .

Dec. II, 1791...

Jan. S, 1792...

.Hannah, daughter of Daniel and

Abigail Barlow.
.Abel, son of Isaac and Ellen

Gold.
..Meliora, daughter of Nathan

Adams and Phebe Hayes.
.Phebe Curtis, daughter of Asa

and Polly Turney.
.James, son of Nathan, Jr., and

Mehitabel Beers.
.Elizabeth, daughter of Miah and

Elizabeth Perry.
.Jesse, son of Aaron and Sarah

Turney.
.Levi, son of Abel and Deborah

Turney.
.Silliman, son of Hezekiah and

Mary Burr.
.Esther Mary, daughter of

George and Anna Raymond.
.Camilla, daughter of George and

Irene Squire.
. Jerusha, daughter of Tego and Sue.
. Eliphalet, son of William and

Molly Pike.
.Mary, daughter of Peter and

Esther Burr.
.William, son of Ebenezer and

Mary Squire.
.Joseph, son of John and Mary

Osborn.
.Eunice, daughter of Abraham

Cooper and Eunice Woodhull.
.Loretta, daughter of Nathaniel

and Cloe Silliman.
.Melissa, daughter of Paul and

Sarah Nichols.
.Samuel, son of Joseph and

Amelia Noyes.
.Gold, son of Gold and Esther

Silliman.
Eunice, George, William, Phebe

and Betsey, children of George

and Irene Squire.
David, son of Joseph and Griz-

zel Bulkley.
.Robert, son of John and Eliza-
beth Wassou.
Rhoda, daughter of Quash and

Rose.
.William, son of William and

Eunice Burr.
.Mehitabel, daughter of Joseph

and Sarah Squire.
Elizabeth, daughter of David and

Susanna Hull.
Harriet, daughter of David and

.Sally Ogdcn.
Anna Mcriam, daughter of Levi

and Sarah Mallcry.
.I'redcrick, son of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.

Feb. 5, 1792 Sarah, daughter of Samuel and

Esther Staples.
Feb. 5, 1792. .. .Candace, a negro female child,
offered by Capt. John WaSson
and his wife.

Feb. 19, 1792 Polly, daughter of Dimon and

Sarah Sturges.

ilarch 24, 1792 John Barry, son of Thomas and

Susanna Elwood.

April, 1792 Melinda, daughter of Paul and

Mabel Sheffield.

May I, 1792 Daniel Wilson, son of David and

Sarah Squire.

May I, 1792 Abigail Maltby, daughter of Da-
vid and Sarah Squire, at a lec-
ture at Black Rock.

May I, 1792 Lois, daughter of Chauncey and

Carolina Matilda Wheeler, at
a lecture at Black Rock.

May I, 1792 Susanna, Sarah Burr and Pris-

cilla, daughters of Samuel and
Sarah Sherwood, at a lecture
at Black Rock.

June 3, 1792 Joseph Pynchon. son of David

and Martha Russel.

June 3, 1792 Martha May, daughter of Da-
vid and Martha Russel.

June 17, 1792 Samuel, son of William and Jane

Hayes.

July I, 1792 Abigail, daughter of David and

Sarah Allen.

July IS, 1792 Nathan, son of Nathan and Mary

Jennings.

Aug. 5, 1792 Sturges, son of Peter and Sarah

Perry.

Aug. 12, 1792 Elizabeth Burr, daughter of

Caleb and Anna Brewster.

Sept. 2, 1792... .George Burr, son of Samuel and
Priscilla Sherwood.

Sept. 2, 1792 Mary Anne, daughter of Barna-
bas Lothrop and Mary Stur-
ges.

Sept. 9, 1792. .. .Abigail, daughter of Joshua and
Abigail Davis.

Sept. 23, 1792 Mary, daughter of \\illiam and

Mary Sturges.

Oct. 14, 1792 Mary, daughter of James and

Mary Penficld.

Oct. 21, 1792 Abel, son of William and Esther

Squire.

Oct. 28, 1792 Fanny, daughter of Josiah and

Eunice Patchin.

Dec. 2, 1792. .. .Dorcas, daughter of Christopher
and Dinah.

Dec. 16, 1792 Deborah, daughter of Walter

and Mary Staples.

Jan. 20, 1793 Henry, son of Wright and Mary

Weeks.

Jan. 27, 1793 Susanna, daughter of Gcrshom

and Susanna lUirr.

March 10, 1793 Debby, daughter of John and

Lydia Wheeler.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 513

March 12, 1793 Samuel Allen, son of Hezekiah

and Anne Nichols.
^March 17, 1793 Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan

Adams and Phebe Hayes.
March 20, 1793 Gold, son of George and Huldah

Allen.
March 23, 1793 Daniel, son of Abraham, Jr.,

and Sarah Morehouse.
April I, 1793 Nance, a young negro servant

to Ezekiel and Sarah Hull,

offered by them.
April 14, 1793 Lucy Anne, daughter of Squire

and Lydia Nichols.
May 12, 1793 Rana, daughter to Abel and

Sherwood.

May 12, 1793 William, son to Miah and Eliza-
beth Perry.
June 2, 1793 Nancy, daughter of William and

Jane Hayes.
June 9, 1793 Anna, daughter of Joseph and

Grizzel Bulkley.
June 9, 1793 Laura, daughter of Edmund and

Olive Burr.
June 12, 1793 Joseph, son of Andrew and Eu-
nice Wakeman.
June 23, 1793 Esther, daughter of Abel and

Deborah Turney.
Aug. 4, 1793 John Hall, son of Daniel, Jr.,

and Mary Osborn.
July 21, 1793 Ichabod Wheeler, son of Eben-

ezer and Mary Squire.
Aug. 4, 1793 Barlow, son of Barlow and Eu-
nice Sturges.
Oct. 20, 1793 John, son of John and Eunice

Godfrey.
Dec. I, 1793 Polly, daughter of Isaac and

Abigail Jennings.
Dec. 22, 1793.... Mary Anne, daughter of Joseph

and Sarah Squire.
Jan. 20, 1794 Jonathan, twin son of Ebenezer

and Anna Silliman.
Jan. 21, 1794 Eunice, Miranda and Wakeman,

children of Walter and Rua-

mah Thorp.
1794.... , son of Benjamin and Eliza-
beth Knap.
Jan. 21, 1794 Joseph Earl, son of Paul and

Mabel Sheffield.
Feb. 16, 1794. .. .Rufus, son of Walter and Ruth

Buddington.
March 23, 1794... .Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and

Amelia Noyes.
March 30, 1794 Ellen, daughter of Abijah and

Mary Morehouse.
Feb. 6, 1794 Isaac, son of Abraham Cooper

and Eunice Woodhull.
May 25, 1794. .. .Abigail, daughter of Edward and

Elizabeth Sturges.
June 8, 1794 Racilia, daughter of Caleb and

Anna Brewster.
June 8, 1794 Fanny, daughter of Samuel and

Priscilla Sherwood.
33

June
June
July
July
July
July
Aug.
Sept.
Sept.
Sept.

Sept.
Sept.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Dec.
Dec.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
April

«, 1794-
29, 1794-

6, 1794.

13, 1794-
27, 1794.

27, 1794.
10, 1794-
21, 1794.
21, 1794.
21, 1794.

28, 1794.
28, 1794.
10, 1794-
12, 1794.
12, 1794.
12, 1794.

2, 1794-

2. 1794-

9, 1794-

16, :794.

16, 1794.

7, 1794-

14, 1794.
4, 1795-

8, 1795-
8, I79S.

I9> 1795-

April 19, 1795..

May 10, 1795. .

May 10, 1795..

..Bradley, son of Samuel and
Amelia Sturges.

..Mary Howe, daughter of Row-
land and Mary Spalding.

..George Augustus, son of John
and Elizabeth Wasson.

. . Lot, son of Eleazer and Mary
Bulkley.

..George, son of Levi and Sarah
Mallery.

..Isaac Lathrop, son of Gershom
and Susanna Burr.

..Isaac, son of William and Esther
Squire.

..Betsey, daughter of William and
Mary Sturges.

...Edward, son of York and Kate,
offered by Mrs. Sarah Bulkley.

...Ned, son of Christopher and
Dinah, offered by Mr. Ger-
shom Burr.

...Anna, twin daughter of Eben-
ezer and Anna Silliman.

. .Lothrop Lewis, son of Barnabas
Lathrop and Mary Sturges.

..Seth Burr, son of William and
Anne Morehouse.

..Ephraim Hull, son of Peter an.d
Esther Burr.

..Walter, son of David and Sally
Ogden.

..Jenetta, daughter of William and
Eunice Burr.

. .John Barry, son of Thomas and
Susanna Ellwood.

..Electa, daughter of Squire and
Lydia Nichols.

..Maltby Bulkley, son of Abraham
and Sarah Morehouse.

..Susanna, daughter of David and
.Susanna Hull.

..Eliza, daughter of David and
Thankful Sturges.

..Abigail, daughter of Reuben and
Abigail Sherwood.

..Elbert, son of Walter and Eliza-
beth Burr Perry.

..Lydia, a mulatto child, offered
by Ezekiel Hull and his wife.

..Bradley, son of Daniel and Lois
Dimon.

. .Azariah, son of Medad and Eliz-
abeth Gold.

..John Americanus, a mula'to
child, offered by Samuel
Webb Stone and Mary, his
wife.

..Sally Carson, daughter of Eben-
ezer and Mary Squire.

..Samuel Wakeman.

. .Elizabeth Burr.

..Elizabeth Wakeman.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

May 10, 1795- •

May lo, 1-95- ■

May 10, 1795. .

May 10, 1795- •

May 24, 1795- •

May 31, 1795- •

June 14, 1795- •

June J4, 1795- •

June 14, 1795- •

July 5. 1795- •

Aug. 21, 1795- ■

Sept. 7. 1795- •

Sept. 25, 1795- ■

Oct. 4, 1795- ■

Oct. II, 1795- •

Oct. 17, I79S--

Nov. I, I79S--

Nov. 22, 1795..

Nov. 22, 1795-

Nov. 27, 1795- .

Nov. 27, 1795- ■

Nov. 27, I79S-

Feb. 7, 1796.

Feb. 7, 1796.,

March 21, 1796.

March 27, 1796.

April 3, 1796.

May 15, 1796.

May 22, 1796.

June 26. 1796.

June 26, 1796.

July 24, 1796.

.Catherine Wakeman.

.Elizabeth Rowland.

.John, son of Samuel and Esther

Staples.
.Elizabeth Burr, daughter of Ja-
son and Catherine Gold.
.Sarah Dinion, daughter of Eben-

ezer and Sarah I'.urr.
.Anson, son of Samuel and Lucy

Squire.
.Mehitabel Smith.
.Abigail McRaa.
.Cyrus, son of Aaron and Sarah

Turney.
.Sherwood, son of Benjamin and

Martha Wilson.
.Andrew Bulkley, son of Na-
thaniel and Sarah Sturges.
.Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and
Anna Silliman.

..Jesse, son of Jesse and

Benedict.
.Francis, son of Joseph and Sa-
rah Squire.
.Charles, son of Miah and Eliza-
beth Perry.
.William, son of Abel and Eliza-
beth Beers.
.Sam, son of Abel and Deborah

Turney.
.Benjamin, son of Walter and

Mary Staples.
.Burr, son of Abel and Mary

Sherwood.
..David, son of Asa and Polly

Turney.
. .Isaac, son of Isaac and Mary Gold.
..Bradley, son of Isaac and Mary

Gold.
. .Philo, son of Edward and Eliza-
beth Sturges.
..Mary Anne, daughter of Wright

and Mary Weeks.
. .Maretta, daughter of Medad and

Elizabeth Gold.
..Lock wood Belding, son of
Lewis Burr and Charlotte
Sturges.
..Samuel, son of Samuel and Pris-

cilla Sherwood.
..George, son of Walter and Rua-

mah Sharp.
..George, son of Abijah and Mary

Morehouse.
..Elbe, son of John and Eunice

Godfrey.
..Solomon, son of Dimon and Sa-
rah Sturges.
..Spiccr, son of Joshua and Abi-
gail Davis.
..Abigail Jane, daughter of Lath-
rop and Sarah Lewis.

July 17, 1796 Lewis, son of Stephen and Mary

Fowler.

July 24, 1796 Lucretia, daughter of Jesse and

Bethiah Dimon.

Aug. 7, 1796 Narcissa, daughter of Walter and

Elizabeth Burr Perry.

Aug. 28, 1796 Silliman Burr, son of William

and Ann Morehouse.

Sept. 4, 1796 Deborah Lewis, daughter of

Barnabas Lathrop and Mary
Sturges.

Sept. 18, 1796 Moses, son of Eleazar and Mary

Bulkley.

Sept. 25, 1796 Benjamin, son of Caleb and

Anna Brewster.

Nov. 13, 1796 Marietta, daughter of Squire

and Lydia Nichols.

Jan. 29, 1797 Mabel Perry, daughter of David

and Sally Ogden.

Feb. II, 1797 Julia Anna, daughter of Nehe-

miah and Abia Fowler (at my
own house).

March 2, 1797 Silas Augustus, son of Silas and

Freelove Nichols.

March 5. 1797 Judson, son of David and

Thankful Sturges.

March 19, 1797 Lewis, son of Levi and Sarah

Mallery.

March 26, 1797 Lewis Burr, son of Lewis Burr

and Charlotte Sturges.

April 30, 1797 Susan, daughter of Jesup and

Esther Wakeman.

June 3, 1797 Morris, son of Benjamin and

Martha Wilson.

June 25, 1797 Monson, son of Edward and

Elizabeth Sturges.

June 25, 1797 Henry Sturges, son of Sturges

and Nancy Thorp.
July 22, 1797 Charles Sylvester, son of Will-
iam and Eunice Burr.

July 30, 1797 George, son of John and Lydia

Wheeler.

Aug. 6, 1797 Mary Anne, daughter of William

and Phebe Silliman.

Sept. 10, 1797 William, son of \\'illiam and

Mary Sturges.
Sept. 10, 1797 Austin, son of Medad and Eliza-
beth Gold.

.Sept. 19, 1797 Mary, daughter of Abel and

Deborah Turney.

Oct. 8, 1797 Daniel Gold, son of Ebenezer

and Anna Silliman.

Oct. 29, 1797 John Morehouse, son of Nathan

and Ruth Perry.

Dec. 17, 1797 Dennie, son of James and Sarah

Sayrc.

Jan. 14, 1798 George Hobart, son of Stephen

and Lydia Burr.

I'eb. 3, 1798 Julia Anna, daughter of Walter

and Ruamah Thorp, at a lec-
ture in the house of Thomas
Hull.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 515

Feb.
Feb.

Feb. 8,

Feb. 3, 1798 Susan, daughter of Elijah and

Lucretia Bibbins, at a lecture
in the house of Thomas Hull.

i, 1798 Esther, daughter of Thomas and

Abigail Hull.

8, 1798 Clo, a negro girl, ofTered by

Ezekiel and Sarah Hull, at a
lecture in the house of
Thomas Hull.

S, 1798 Phillis, Amos and Nancy, negro

children ofTered by Thomas
and Abigail Hull, at a lecture
in the house of Thomas Hull.
Feb. II, 1798. ...Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse and
T?ethia Dimon.

March 4, 1798 Deborah, daughter of Abel and

Elizabeth Beers.

March 25, 1798 Lewis Burr, son of Lewis and

Debby Goodsel.

May 6, 1798 Julia, daughter of Miah and

Elizabeth Perry.

May 6, 1798 Lucretia, daughter of Barnabas

Lathrop and Mary Sturges.

May 13, 1798 Alanson, son of Samuel and

Esther Staples.

May 16, 1798 Harriet, daughter of Abraham,

Jr., and Sarah Morehoiise.
Aug. 12, 1798 Abraham Cooper, son of Abra-
ham Cooper and Eunice
Woodhull.

Aug. 26, 1798 Eunice Smedley, daughter of

Ebenezer and Mary Squire.

Sept. 23, 1798 Stephen, son of Stephen and

Mary Fowler.

Nov. 18, 1798 Andrew Lothrop, son of Loth-

rop and Sarah Lewis.
Nov. 18, 1798 Austin, son of Walter and Eliza-
beth Burr Perry.

Nov. 29, 1798 Susanna, daughter of David and

Susanna Hull.

Nov. 29, 1798 Thomas, son of Jesse and Anna

Wheeler.

Jan. 22, 1799 Sally, daughter of Thomas and

Sarah Bartram.
Feb. 27, 1799. .. .David Ward, son of David and
Thankful Sturges.

March 3, 1799 Ebenezer, son of Squire and

Lydia Nichols.
April 28, 1799. . . .Munson, son of Solomon and

Amelia Sturges.
May 5, 1799 Deborah Gold, daughter of Dan-
iel, Jr., and Mary Osborn.
May 5, 1799.... Mary Cannon, daughter of
Lewis Burr and Charlotte
Sturges.

May 12, 1799 Mary Burr, daughter of Job and

Ruthy Bartram.

May 26, 1799 Lydia Squire, daughter of John

and Lydia Wheeler.

May 26, 1799 Prince, son, and Sally, daughter,

of Christopher and Dinah, of-
fered by Mrs. Priscilla Burr.

May 30, 1799 Elizabeth Eliot, daughter of Jo-
seph and Elizabeth Dewey.
July 7, 1799 Anson, son of Elijah and Lucre-
tia Bibbins.

July 7, 1799 David, son of David and Sally

Ogden.

July 21, 1799 Sarah, daughter of Stephen and

Lydia Beers.

July 28, 1799 Solomon Curtis, son of John

and Eunice Godfrey.

Aug. 4, 1799 William Webb, son of Jesup and

Esther Wakeinan.

Oct. 6, 1799 Eliza, daughter of Medad and

Elizabeth Gold.

Nov. 17, 1799 Andrew, son of .Sturges and

Nancy Thorp.

Dec. 22, 1799 Sarah Wheeler, daughter of

John and Hannah Morehouse.
Dec. 29. 1799 William, son of Jason and Cath-
erine Gold.

Feb. 2, 1800 Mary Wakeman, daughter of

Walter and Ruamah Thorp.

Feb. 22, 1800 John, son of Hezekiah and Mary

Burr.

March 30, 1800 Amelia, daughter of Dimon and

Sarah Sturges.

March 30, 1800 Samuel, son of Abraham

Cooper and Eunice Woodhull.

April 7, 1800 Elizabeth, daughter of Aaron

and Betsey Hubbel.
April 13, 1800 Sturges, son of Lothrop and Sa-
rah Lewis.

April 20, 1800 Eunice Burr, daughter of Joshua

and Abigail Davis.

April 20, 1800 Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer

and Anne Silliman.

May 4, 1800 Robert, son of Jesse and Bethia

Dimon.

June 29, 1800 George, son of Eleazar and Mary

Bulkley.

June 29, 1800 Lurany, daughter of Benjamin

and Martha Wilson.

Sept. 14, 1800 David Burr, son of Edward and

Elizabeth Sturges.

Sept. 28, 1800 Elizabeth, daughter of William

and Eunice Burr.
Oct. 5, 1800 Brutus, son of Wright and Eliz-
abeth Weeks.
Oct. 5, 1800 Henry, son of Lewis and Debo-
rah Goodsel.

Oct. 12, 1800 Abel, son of Abel and Mary

Sherwood.
Nov. 2, 1800 Ebenezer, son of Abel and Eliz-
abeth Beers.
Dec. 21, 1800 Joseph, son of Thomas and Sa-
rah Bartram.
Jan. 18, 1801 Munson, son of John and Cath-
erine Wheeler.

Feb. 13, 1801 Angelina, daughter of Isaac and

Mary Gold, at a lecture in
the house Of Gershom Bulkley
at Sasco.

5i6

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Feb. 13, 1801 Sarah Couch, daughter of Isaac

and Mary Gold, at a lecture
in the house of Gershom
Bulkley at Sasco.
March 8, 1801. .. .Sarah, daughter of Aaron and

Sarah Turney.
March 13, 1801. .. .Sarah, Isaac and Samuel, chil-
dren of Abraham and Ruamah
Parrot, at a lecture in the
house of Abraham Parrot.

March 13, 1801 Esther, daughter of Abraham and

Ruamah Parrot, at a lecture in
the house of Abraham Parrot.

March 22, 1801 Abraham Parrot, Jr., and Rhoda

Wheeler.

..Mehitabel Burr.

..Ellen Burr.

...Sally Wakeman.

, . .Sally Turney.

...Benjamin, son of Andrew and
Eunice Wakeman.

...Catherine, daughter of William
and Phebe Silliman.

...Lothrop, son of Ebenezer and
Mary Squire.

...Thaddeus Burr, son of Lewis
Burr and Charlotte Sturgis.

...Emily, daughter of Walter and
Elizabeth Burr Perry.

...Hetty, daughter of Miah and
Elizabeth Perry.

...Sturges, son of Abel and Betsey
Ogden.

...John Sloss, son of Stephen and
Lydia Beers.

...Susan, daughter of Aaron and
Betsey Hubbel.

...Albert, son of Lothrop and Sa-
rah Lewis.

...David, son of John and Eunice
Godfrey.

...William, son of Job and Ruthy
Bartram.

...Morris, son of Jesup and Esther
Wakeman.

...Esther Maria, daughter of Ralph
and Polly Burns.

...Pallina, daughter of Samuel and
Hannah Beers.

...John, son of Jason and Cather-
ine Gold.

...William, son of Mary, daughter

of Nathan and Wheeler of

Greenfield.

Nov. 13, 1801 A negro child, offered by

Thomas Hull.

Nov. 13, 1801 Abigail, daughter of Tliomas and

Abigail Hull, at a lecture in
the house of Thomas Hull.

Nov. 13, 1801 Venus, a negro boy, and Nance,

a negro girl, offered by Eze-

March
March
March
March
April

April

May

June

July

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

29, 180 1.

29, 1801.

5, 1801.

12, 1801.

17, 1801.
21, 1801.
21, 1801,
28, 1801
28, 1801,

5, 1801.

19, 1801,

6, 1801

13. i8oi

20, 1801

18, 1801

13, 1801

kiel Hull, at a lecture in the
house of Thomas Hull.

Nov. 22, 1801 William Henry, son of Stephen

and Mary Fowler.

Dec. 6, 1801 Priscilla, daughter of Edward

and Elizabeth Sturges, at a
lecture in the house of Amos
Wilson.

Jan. 27, 1802 James Benjamin, son, and

Laura, daughter, of Amos and

Wilson, at a lecture in the

house of Amos Wilson.

Jan. 27, 1802 Roderick, son of Medad and

Elizabeth Gold, at a lecture
in the house of Amos Wilson.

Feb. 13, 1802. .. .Richard, son of .\braham Cooper
and Eunice Woodhull.

March 7, 1802 Anna, daughter of William and

Mary Sturges.

.April 14, 1802. .. .Daniel, son of Caleb and Anna
Brewster.

May 2, 1802 Jonathan, son of Barnabas Loth-
rop and Mary Sturges.

May 9, 1802 John, son of Jesse and Bethia

Dimon.

May 9, 1802. . ..Ellen Burr, daughter of John
and Hannah Morehouse.

June 10, 1802 Emily, daughter of Andrew and

Sarah Mallery.

June 13, 1802 .Amelia, daughter of Solomon

and Amelia Sturges.

-Aug. I, 1802 Benjamin, son of Ebenezer and

Anne Silliman.

Aug. 8, 1802 Alithea, daughter of Gold and

Betsey Morehouse, offered by
her grandmother, Mary More-
house.

Sept. s. 1802 Andrew Eliot, son of Gershom

and Elizabeth Burr.

Sept. 19, 1802 William, son of William and

Rhoda Wheeler.

Sept. 19, 1802 Aaron, son of Justus and Sally

Sherwood.

Oct. 15, 1802 Lucretia, daughter of William

and Eunice Burr.

Nov. 7, 1802 Elizabeth, daughter of -Abel and

Elizabeth Beers.

Nov. 7, 1802 Esther, daughter of Levi and

Perry.

Jan. 7, 1803 Nancy, daughter of Joseph and

Elizabeth Dewey, at a lecture
at Mill River.

Jan. 16. 1803 Simon Rckling, son of Lewis

Burr and Charlotte Sturges.

March 13, 1803 Nancy Dimon, daughter of Da-
vid and Thankful Sturges.

March 13, 1803. .. .Peter Burr, son of Joseph and
Sarah Sturges.

Marcli 13, 1803 Hannah Allen, daughter of Dan-
iel Beers and Sally Ogden.

.April 24, 1803 Elizabeth, daughter of David

and Sally Ogden.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 517

May 18, 1803 Nicholas Chauncy, Nathaniel,

Caroline and Simon, children

of Chauncy (deceased) and

Caroline Mathilda Wheeler, at

a lecture in the house of Capt.

David Wheeler.
May 29, 1803 Walter Bradley, son of Walter

and Elizabeth Burr Perry.
June 19, 1803. .. .Edward, son of Walter and

Ruamah Thorp.
June 21, 1803 John, son of Job and Ruthy

Bartram.
July 17, 1803 Catherine, daughter of John and

Catherine Wheeler.
July 17, 1803. .. .Morris, son of Hezekiah and

Nancy Osborn.
July 31, 1803 George, son of George and Abi-
gail Miller.

Aug. 3, 1803 Jerusha Parrot.

Aug. 7, 1803 Alanson, son of Stephen, Jr., and

Rachel Osborn.
Aug. 13, 1803 Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and

Abigail Bartram.
Aug. 21, 1S03. .. .Almira, daughter of Samuel, Jr.,

and Hannah Beers.
Sept. 4, 1803 Marietta, daughter of Abel and

Mary Sherwood.
Sept. 4, 1803 Abigail Jane, daughter of Abel

and Betsey Ogden.
Sept. 25, 1803 Martha, daughter of Lewis and

Debby Goodsell.
Sept. 25, 1803 Samuel Smedley, son of Lothrop

and Sarah Lewis.
Oct. 30, 1803. .. .Thomas Burr, son of Thomas

and Sarah Bartram.
Nov. 16, 1803 Rebecca, daughter of Isaac and

Mary Gold, at a lecture at

Mill River.
Jan. I, 1804 Zalmon Bradley, son of Jesup

and Esther Wakeman.
Jan. 13, 1804 Sally Eliza, daughter of Walter

and Sally (deceased) Cure.
Jan. 20, 1804 Nathaniel, son of Joseph and

Elizabeth Dewey, at a lecture

at Mill River.
April I, 1804 Mary Anne, daughter of Eben-
ezer and Mary Sherwood Di-

mon.
April I, 1804.... Jonathan Sturges, son of Ger-

shom and Elizabeth Burr.
May 13, 1804 Mary, daughter of Stephen and

Lydia Beers.
June 3, 1804... .Isaac Marquand, son of Jesse

and Bethia Dimon.
June 10, :8o4 Eliza, daughter of William and

Rhoda Wheeler.
June 17, 1804 Mary, daughter of Jeremiah and

• Osborn.

July 22, 1804 Aaron, son of Sturges and

Nancy Thorp.
Sept. 2, 1804 Laura Anne Smith.

Sept. 2, 1804 Julia Anne, daughter of David

and Sarah Anna ]Jurr.

Sept. 2, 1804 Maria Sturges, daughter of

Abraham and Sarah More-
house.

Sept. 2, 1804 George Wakeman, son of Job

and Ruthy Bartram.

Sept. 2, 1804 Mary Wheeler, daughter of

Barnabas and Deborah Bar-
tram.

1804 Ezra, son of Ezra and Burr.

1804 John Wasson, son of Lewis

Burr and Charlotte Sturges.

1804 Marietta, daughter of Joseph and

Sarah Sturges.

1804 Aretie, daughter of Abel and

Elizabeth Beers.

1804. .. .Sally, daughter of Seth and Eu-
nice Osborn.

1804 George Vinson, son of John and

Jerusha Osborn.

1804 Eliza, datighter of David and

Betsey Wilson.

180S Justus, son of Justus (deceased)

and Sally Sherwood.

180S Osborn, son of William and

. Mary Sturges.

1805 William Henry, son of Billy and

Anna Bibbins.

1805 Delia, daughter of Miah and

Elizabeth Perry.

1805. .. .David, son of Peter and Clarina
Sturges.

1805 Harriet Dimon, daughter of

James and Abigail Allen.

1805 Everet Wheeler, son of Eleazer

and Patience Eggleston.

1805. .. .Abigail Dimon, daughter of Bar-
nabas Lathrop and Mary
Sturges.

1805 Delia Marcia, daughter of Wal-
ter and Ruamah Thorp.

1805 Albert, son of John Gold and

Elizabeth Allen.

1805 William, son of Walter and Eliz-
abeth Burr Perry.

180S Edward and Maria, children of

John Gold and Elizabeth Al-
len.

1805 John Bradley, son of David and

Thankful Sturges.

1805 Catherine, daughter of Daniel

Beers and Sally Osborn.

180S George, son of Abel and Betsey

Ogden.

Jan. 26, 1806 Charlotte Parrot.

Feb. 9, 1806 Catherine, daughter of Jason

and Catherine Gould.

June 15, 1806 Rachel, daughter of Jesse and

• Dimon.

Sept. 23, 1806 Sarah Ann, daughter of Stephen

and Mary Fowler.

Sept.

Sept. 23

Oct. 7

Nov. 18

Nov. 20

Nov. 25

Dec. 3

Feb. IS:

March 3

April 7:

May 5

May 15

une 9

une 30,

uly 14

Nov. 24

Dec. 15

Dec. IS

Dec. 15,
26,

518

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

MARRIAGES BY THE REV. JOSEPH WEBB.

Nov. 19, Joseph Squire and Sarah Jen-

nings.

March 13, 1726 Mr. Peter Hepburn and Mrs.

Sarah Clark.

July 26, 1727 Mr. Lathrop Lewis and Mrs.

Sarah Wakeman.

May 21, 1728 Daniel Bulkley and Hannah

Johnson.

Oct. 2, 1728 Samuel Jennings, Jr., and Jo-
hanna Risdin.

Nov. 18, 1728 Gershom Scott of Waterbury and

Mary Fanton, at Fairfield.

Dec. 24, 1729 Andrew Sinclair and the widow

Abigail Cosier.

May 28, 1730 Mr. Peter Penfield and Mrs

Mary Allen.

MARRIAGES BY REV. NOAH HOBART.

Jan. 31, 1733-4- ••

Nov. 24, 1735- ••

Sept. 14, 1737- ■■

Oct. II, 1739- ••
Jan. 17, 1739-40...
July 7, 1741...
Aug. 20, 1741...

Nov. 5, 1741. . .
Jan. 7, 1741-2..

Oct. 18, 1742...
Dec. 8, 1742...
Dec. 28, 1742...
March 24, 1742-3,

May 26, 1743- •

Nov. 10, 1743...

March i, 1743-4

March 1, 1743-4

July 19, 1744- •

Oct. 18, 1744...
Jan. I, 1744-S--
Dec. I, 1745..

Jan. 30, 1745-6..

Feb. 4. 1745-6..

.Nathan Stephen of Danbury and
Phebe Lyon of Fairfield.

.Job Gorham of Barnstable and
Bethia Freeman of Fairfield.

.The Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Hunn
and Miss Rivth Read.

.David Allen and Sarah Gold.

.Samuel Sturgis and Ann Burr.

.John Thompson of Stratford .

.Stephen Jennings and Hannah
.Sturgis.

.Daniel Sturgis and Mary Beers.

..Benjamin Fayerweather and
Elizabeth Beach.

.Thomas Chambers of Newtown
and Mary Bulmore of Fair-
field.

.Jacob Levet and Catee Gold.

.Micah Perry and Grace Sturgis.

.John Turney and Esther Gold.

.Thomas Gibbs of Milford and
Hannah Allen of Fairfield.

..Edward Treadwcll and Sarah
Trowbridge.

.Samuel Beers and Thankful Os-
borne.

. .Jabez Barlow and Elizabeth
Hunt.

..Andrew Beardsley and Sarah
Squire.

..Nathan Thompson and Abigail
Gold.

..James Adair and Ann McCarty.

. . Daniel Perry and Sarah Wilson.

..David Rowland and Deborah
Sloss.

..John Jennings, Jr., and Sarah
Jennings.

..Samuel Galpinc of Woodbury
and Ann Sherwood of Fair-
field.

Sept. 16, 1746 The Rev. Mr. Thomas Arthur

of New Brunswick and Miss
Sarah Burr of Fairfield.

Oct. 14, 1746 Nathaniel Pierson and Hannah

Beers.

March 26, 1747 Joseph Morehouse and Eliza

Silliman.

Oct. 19, 1747 Joseph Frost, Jr., and Esther

Dimon.

Nov. 5, 1747 Jabez Bulkley and Elizabeth Os-

born.

Dec. 17, 1747 Stephen Turney and Sarah

Squire.

Jan. 4, 1747-8 James Smedly and Mary Dimon.

Jan. 13, 1747-8 Thomas Hawley of Ridgefield

and Elizabeth Gold of Fair-
field.

Jan. 14, 1747-8 Nathaniel Seely and Rebecca

Hubbel.

Jan. 21, 1747-8 John Hyde, Jr., and Abigail Og-

den.
March 24, 1747-8. .John Clugstone and Elizabeth
Rowlandson.

Aug. II, 1748 Jabez Patchin of Wilton and

Hannah Squier of Fairfield.

Sept. 4, 1748 Ebenezer Wakeman and Ann

Hill.

Jan. 16, 1748-9 Anthony Annable and Sarah

Middlebrook.

Aug. 7, 1749 Gamaliel French of Stratfield and

Sarah Redfield of Fairfield.

Aug. ID, 1749 Lieut. Gideon Allen and Mrs.

Jane Dimon.
Sept. 20, 1749 Ebenezer Middlebrook and Sa-
rah Bulkley.

Oct. 31, 1749 Zephaniah Clark and Olive Os-

born.

Feb. 14, 1749-50 David Rowland, Esq., and Miss

Elizabeth Hill.

April 5, 1750 David Ogden, Jr., and Jane

Sturgis.

Dec. 31, 1750 Ebenezer Knap and Elizabeth

McRaa.
Jan. 17, 1750-1 Mr. John .Mien and Mrs. Abi-
gail Jesup.
.March ig, 1750-1. .Daniel Kellog of Norwalk and
Hannah Fairchild of Fairfield.

Sept. 4, 1751 Thomas Minor of Woodbury and

Tabitha Treadwell of Fair-
field.

Nov. 21, 1751 Hezekiah Sturgis and Abigail

Dimon.
Dec. II, 1751 Mr. David Burr and Miss Eu-
nice Osborn.

Jan. I, 1752 Ichabod Wheeler and Deborah

Burr.

Jan. 17, 1752 John Parrit and Sarah Hubbel.

May 10, 1752 Mr. Ebenezer Wakeman and

Miss Sarah Ilandford.
May 20, 1752 Mr. Lyman Hall and Miss Abi-
gail lUirr.
Oct. 10, 1752 Sturgis Lewis and Ann Burr.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 5I9

Nov. 8, 1752.... Mr. Thaddeus Betts of Ridge-
field and Miss Mary Gold of
Fairfield.

Dec. 21, 1752 Daniel Jennings, Jr., and Eu-
nice Burr.

Feb. s, 17S3 David Hubbel and Martha Gold.

Feb. 22, 1753 Peter Hull and Ann Dimon.

March 22, 1753 Jesse Hunt and Sarah Staples.

April 19, 1753 Abraham Betts of Norwalk and

Mary Bedient of Fairfield.

May 31, 1753 Samuel Burr, Jr., and Eunice

Sturgis.

July 3, 1753 Nathan Hill and Eunice Wake-
man.

Oct. 16, 1753 Benjamin Osborne and Mary

Dimon.

Dec. 5, 1753 Elnathan Williams and Hannah

Thorp.

Jan. 10, I7S4 Jonathan Lewis and Sarah Os-

born.

Jan. 30, 1754 Ebenezer Meeker, Jr., and Eliza

Jennings.

Feb. 17, 1754 David Wakeman and Mary Jen-
nings.

March 6, 1754 Benjamin Wynkoop, Jr., and

Grissel Frost.

March 7, 1754 Jabez Thorp and Ann Sturgis.

March 14, 1754 Capt. Samuel Burr and Mrs.

Ruth Bulkley.

April 18, 1754 Peter Thorp and Abigail Ward.

May I, 1754 Mr. Gideon Welles and Miss

Catharine Wynkoop.

June 6, 1754 Mr. Samuel Sherwood and Miss

Rachel Hyde.

Nov. 7, 1754 Jacob Bartram and Rebecca

Squire.

Nov. 13, 1754 Moses Dimon, Jr., and Grace

Dimon.

Dec. 19, 1734 Abel Gold and Ellen Burr.

Jan. 22, 1755 Amos Williams and Eleanor Da-
vis.

April 3, 175s James Hall and Abigail Beers.

Sept. 4, 1755 Mr. Asa Spalding and Miss

Grace Rowland.

Jan. 8, 1756 John Bulkley and Martha Hub-
bel.

Jan. 21, 1756 Samuel Silliman and Elizabeth

Burr.

Jan. 22, 1756. .. .Daniel Burr and Ann Silliman.

Feb. 5, 1756 Matthew Jennings and Rebecca

Morehouse.

Feb. II, 1756 Nathan Adams and Mary Hubbel.

March 31, 1756 Hezekiah Piatt and Sarah Lord.

April 8, 1756 James Bulkley and Eliza White-
head.

April 15, 1756 Mr. Nathan Bulkley and Miss

Sarah Perry.

July 22, 1756 Nathan Beers and Abigail

Squire.

Aug. 12, 1756 Edmund Hunt and Abigail .

Nov. 2, 1756 Gershom Hubbel and Sarah

Wakeman.

Dec. 14, 1756 IMr. Robert Silliman and Mrs,

Mary Morehouse.

Jan. 20, 1757 Thomas Hill, Jr., and Ellen

Sturgis.

Jan. 19, 1757 Mr. Daniel Osborn and Miss

Elizabeth Burr.

Feb. 21, 1757 John McDonald and Elizabeth

Eraser.

March 12, 1758 Mr. Cornelius Wynkoop, Jr.. of

New York and Miss Abigail
Osborn of Fairfield.

March 27, 1758 Abel Wheeler and Rebecca

Whitcar.

Aug. 16, 1758 Abel Jennings and Sarah IIol-

ingsworth.

Aug. 29, 1758 Moses Bulkley and Abigail Stur-

ges.

Feb. 26, 1759 Ebenezer Burr and Amelia

Silliman.

March 22, 1759 Mr. Thaddeus Burr and Miss

Eunice Dennie.

Oct. II, 1759 Moses Jennings and Abigail

Burr.

Nov. 8, 1759 Peter Hull and Jerusha Sturges.

Dec. 5, 1759 Matthew Curtiss of Newtown

and Abigail Thompson of Fair-
field.

Oct. 26, 1760 Jonathan Sturgis and Deborah

Lewis.

April 26, 1761 Mordccai Bedient and Abigail

Raymon.

May 28, 1761 Daniel Wakeman and Esther

Hill.

June 9, 1761 David and Rebecca Middle-
brook.

June II, 1761 Jonathan Ogden and Sarah Og-

den.

Dec. 9, 1761 Jonathan Darrow and Elizabeth

Bulkley.

Dec. 31, 1761 Mr. Elijah Abel and Miss Grissel

Burr.

March 3, 1762 Noah Lane of Killingsworth and

Grace Buddington of Fair-
field.

March 18, 1762 Justin Hobart and Hannah Pen-
field.

May 14, 1762 and Ruamah Fynde.

June 17, 1762 George Wakeman and Sarah

Hill.

.Aug. 12, 1762 Ephraim Burr, Jr., and Eunice

Wilson.

Nov. 3, 1762 Peter Jennings and Eunice

Smith.

Nov. II, 1762 Joseph Sturgis and Sarah Di-
mon.

Nov. 15, 1762 David Dimon and Ann Allen.

Nov. 25, 1762. .. .Hezekiah Nichols and Ann Pen-
field.

Dec. 8, 1762 Jeremiah Jennings and Elizabeth

Smith.
Jan. 13, 1763 John Smedley and Eunice Wyn-
koop.

520

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Jan.

27.

1763..

Jan.

31,

1763..

April

14,

1763..

April

21,

1763..

April

28,

1763..

May

1763..

Aug.

1763...

Dec.

1763. ■■

Dec.

21,

1763..

May
May

9.
22,

1764..
1764..

June
June

I,
3,

1764..
1764..

Nov.

29.

1764..

Dec.

13.

1764..

Jan.

1765..

Feb.

14,

1765...

June

13,

1765..

Dec.

12,

1765..

Jan.

1766. .

April

17.

1766. .

Aug.

14.

17C6...

May

24.

1767..

June

I.,

1767..

Sept.

21,

1767..

Jan.

2X,

1768..

May

:o.

.768. .

May

10,

1768. .

Aug.

17,

1768..

Oct.

23,

1768..

Nov.

1768..

.Andrew Morehouse and Ann
Knap.

.Joseph Sprague and Elizabeth
Squire.

.Capt. Josiah Burnham of Ken-
sington and Mrs. Mary Smith.

.Nehemiah Burr and Sarah Os-
borne.

.Thomas Fitch, Jr., Esq., of
Norwalk and Miss Sarah Hill.

.Ebenezer Silliman, Jr., and Ruth
Silliman.

.Peter Penfield, Jr., and Hannah
Lewis.

.Mr. Andrew Hill and Miss Abi-
gail Lewis.

.David Silliman and Lydia Pen-
field.

.Stephen Adams and Hester Hill.

.Jesse Raymond of Middlesex
and Jemima Gold of Fairfield.

.Isaac Tucker and Mary Wakeman.

.Eleazer Osborne, Jr., and Sarah
Burr.

.VVoolcot Hawly and Ellen Os-
borne.

.Mr. Scth Warner and Mrs. Sa-
rah Wakeman.

.William Dimon and Esther Stur-
gis.

.Abraham Andrews and Catherine
Wakeman.

.Gould Halt of Norwalk and
Elizabeth Dimon of Fairfield.

.Gcrshom Burr and Priscilla
Lothrop.

.Ebenezer Burr and Hannah
Morehouse.

.Capt. Jonathan Camp of Nor-
walk and Miss Abigail Shove
of Fairfield.

.Paul Nichols and Sarah Middle-
brook.

.Samuel Andrews and Hannah
Wakeman.

.John Whitear and Abigail Row-
land.

.Hezekiah Fitch, Esq., and Miss
Jerusha Burr.

.Isaac Turney and Elizabeth
Hubbel.

.Mr. Nathaniel Lothrop of Ply-
mouth and Miss Ellen Ilobart
of J-'airficld.

.Gideon Bccbee and Betty Sher-
wood.

.Andrew Jennings and Abigail
Hunt.

.Jonathan Maltby and Elizabeth
Allen.

.David Jennings and Mehitabel
Squire.

April 20, 1769.

Jan. 19, 1770.

April 15, 1770.

April 23, 1770.

May 13, 1770.

June 14, 1770.

Nov. I, 1770.

Nov. 15, 1770.

Dec. 6, 1770.

Dec. 20, 1770.

Jan. 9, 1771.

Jan. 23, 1771.

Jan. 31, 1771

April 9, 1771

July II, 1771

Dec. 19, 1771

Dec. 25, 1771

March 5, 1772

Aug. 3, 1772

Dec. 24, 1772,

Dec. 29, 1772

Jan. 20, 1773

April 14, 1-73

June 6, 1773

June 24, 1773

June 29, 1774.

Sept. 22, 1774

Dec. 25, 1774

Jan. 26, 177s

Feb. 25, 1775.

..Daniel Wilson and Sarah Squire.

...George Morehouse and Sarah
Davis.

..William Beadle and Lydia Loth-
rop.

..Oliver Burr and Elizabeth
Smith.

..Jonathan Cole and Lois Bulkley.

. ..Jabez Thorp and JMartha Os-
borne.

. .Abijah Morehouse and Mary
Allen.

..John Penfield and Eunice Og-
den.

..Isaac Jennings and Abigail Gold.

..Daniel Dimon and Lois Brad-
ley.

. .James Goodsel and Esther Adair.

...Samuel Sturges and Abigail
Hill.

...David Edwards of North Strat-
ford and Lydia Osborn of
Fairfield.

...Jonathan Darrow, Jr., and Eliz-
abeth Bulkley.

...Samuel Smedley and Esther
Rowland.

..David Osborn and Mary Beers.

..Jehiel Thorp and Ellen Perry.

..Josiah Bulkley and Abigail
Beers.

..John Pierson and Jane Sturgis.

..Levi Mallery and Sarah Annable.

..Nathan Lewis and Esther Bulk-
ley.

, ..Gershom Osborn and Grissel
Sherwood.

. ..Elihu Alvard and Mary Beers.

..Andrew Wakeman and Hannah
Allen.

...Ebenezer Bradley and Mary
Burr.

...Mr. Tappan Reeve of Litchfield
and Miss Sarah Burr of Fair-
field.

. ..Stratton Osborn and Rhoda
Patchin. This and the follow-
ing marriages by the Rev. An-
drew Eliot:

...William Silliman and Anne Al-
len.

.John Redfield and Lucretia Mar-
quand.

.Nicholas Darrow and Elizabeth
Beers.

.Toney, negro servant to Jere-
miah Sherwood of Greens
Farms and Nanny, negro ser-
vant to Andrew Eliot.

March, 1775 Toney, negro servant to Abel

Gould and Dorcas, negro ser-
vant to Nathan Bulkley.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 52 1

April 16, 1775-

May 17, 1775.
May 25, 1775.

July II, 1775.

July 1-', 1775.

Oct. 26, 1775..

Dec. 28, 177;

March 14, 1776

June 20, 1776

July 4. 17-6

July II, 1776.

July 18, 1776

Nov. 10, 1776.
Nov. 17, 1776.
Dec. 12, 1776.

Nov.

27.

1777-

Dec.

25-

1777-

Jan.

1778.

Jan.

18.

1778.

Feb.

1778.

July 27, 1778
Nov. 22, 1778

Nov. 26, 1778...

Capt. Jonathan Dimon of Green-
field and Miss F.Iizabeth
Wakeman of Fairfield.

Stephen Jackson of Reading and
Elizabeth Hull of Fairfield.

Deodate Silliman of Fairfield
and Catherine Silliman of
North Fairfield.

Isaac Jarvis and Abigail Squire.

Jack, negro servant to David
Barlow of Fairfield and Mary,
negro servant to Deacon Hill
of Greenfield.

The Honorable John Hancock,
Esq., and Miss Dorothy
Quincy, both of Boston.

Robert Harris of Norfield and
Mary Bulkley of Fairfield.

Jabez Hubbel and Abigail Gray.

Joseph Bulkley and Elizabeth
Lewis.

Samuel Wheeler of Stratford and
Sarah Morehouse of Fairfield.

Ebenezer Squire and Mary
Wheeler,

Ebenezer Sturges and Sarah
Bulkley.

Peter Hendrick and Sarah Allen.

Moses Sturges and Elizabeth
Bradley, both of Greenfield,
were married in that society.

David Downs and ,

both of Greenfield, were mar-
ried at Fairfield.

Nathan Thorp and Patience
Wheeler.

Peter Burr, Jr., and Esther Jen-
nings.

Jonathan Bulkley, Jr., and Lydia
Bulkley.

Amos and Nance, negro ser-
vants to Mr. Ebenezer Hill of
Greenfield, were married at
Fairfield.

Nathan Beers, Jr., and Mehita-
bel Perry.

Stephen Stratton of Greenfield
and Sarah Darrow of Fairfield.

Lyman Jennings and Deborah
Mitchel.

Abel Gold and Amelia Burr.

Jonathan Darrow and Molly
Thorp.

Nehemiah Fowler and Abiah
Wheeler.

Joseph Bulkley and Grizzel
Thorp.

Jesse Nichols and Mabel Bulk-
ley of Greenfield were married
at Fairfield.

Isaac Lewis of Stratford and
Mary Morehouse of Fairfield.

Dec. 10, 1778 Jedediah Hull of Greenfield and

Mary Osborn of Fiirfield.

Dec. 17, 1778 Stephen Osborn and Grizzel Os-
born.

Jan. 21, 1779 Nathaniel Perry and Eunice

Sturges.

Jan. 24, 1779 John Williams, Jr., and Anne

Mitchel.

Jan. 28, 1779 Josiah Beardslee of Greenfield

and Abigail Bulkley of Fair-
field.

Feb. 18, 1779 Robin, negro servant to Samuel

Squire, Esq., and Dorcas,
negro servant to Elijah Abel,
Esq.

March 30, 1779 Samuel Stratton of Greenfield

and Grace Darrow of Fairfield.

^Vpril 18, 1779 John Wasson and Elizabeth

Bartram.

April 28, 1779 Stephen Keeler of Norwalk and

Margaret Pynchon of Fair-
field.

June 10, 1779 Wright White and Esther

Hughes.

June 24, 1779 Jabez Hubbel and Rachel Os-
born.

Jan., 1780 Hosea Hurlbut and Miss Rachel

Hubbel of Greenfield were
married at Fairfield.

Feb. 13, 1780 Dimon Sturges and Sarah Ferry.

Feb. 17, 1780. .. .Abraham Morehouse and Ruth
Wilson.

Feb. 21, 1780.... Philip Hubbard and Ambrillis
Morehouse.

Feb. 24, 1780 William Gates of Long Island

and Margaret McRaa.

April 20, 1780 Ebenezer Knapp and Mary Wil-
son.

June 5, 1780 Tego, negro servant to Mr.

Ozias Burr of Stratfield, and
Sue, negro servant to Gold
Selleck Silliman, Esq.

June 15, 1780.... Isaac Sherwood of Stratfield and
Drusilla Sherwood of Fairfield.

July 13, 1780 Benjamin Knap and Elizabeth

Wilson.

Sept. 20, 1780 Callico, negro servant to Mr.

Daniel Wilson, and Dinah,
negro servant to Mr. Matthew
Jennings.

Nov. 5, 1780 Reuben Sherwood and Abigail

Perry.

Nov. 30, 1780 Capt. Eliphalet Thorp and Sa-
rah Ogden.

Dec. 7, 1780 Major William Silliman and

Miss Phoebe Jennings.

Dec. 28, 1780 Samuel Squire, Esq., and Miss

.Abigail Squire.

Feb. 15, 1781 Nathaniel Wilson, Jr., and Ruth

Silliman.

April 15, 1781 William Sisco and Hannah Tay-
lor.

522

April 17, 1781.

June 2:, 1781.

Oct. 14, 1781.

Oct. 18, nl
Oct. 25. 1/5

Nov. 7, 1781.
Oct. 2, 1781.

Dec. 6, 1781.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Jan. 24, 1782.
Feb. 24, 1782.

Feb. 24, 1782.

March 6, 1782.

March 14, 1782.

March 18, 1782.

March 28, 1782.

March 31, 1782.
April II, 1782.
April 17, 1782.

April 28, 1782.
May 5, 1782.

May 26, 1782.

July 21, 1782.
Sept. 1782.

Nov. 4, 1782

Dec. 17, 1782.
Dec. 17, 1782.

I, 1783.

. Priamus and Luce, negro ser-
vants to Thaddeus Burr, Esq.

.Samuel Burr and .Abigail Jen-
nings.

.Priamus, negro servant to Dea-
con Joseph Hill of Greenfield,
and Nancy, negro servant to
Mr. Thomas Edwards of
Chestnut Hill.

.John Hayes and Sarah Adams.

.Stephen Adams, Jr., and Ellen
Burr.

.George Squire and Irene Hayes.

.Gold Curtis of Newtown and
Elizabeth Gold of Fairfield.

.William Morehouse and Anne
Burr.

.Aaron Turney and Sarah Staples.

.Jacob June of Courtlandt's Ma-
nor, in the State of New York,
and Elizabeth Penfield of
Fairfield.

.Nathaniel Penfield and Rachel
Marquand.

.William Burr and Eunice Thorp.

.Aaron Fox and Elizabeth Price.

.Talcot Gold and Anna Barlow.

.Solomon Sturges of Fairfield and
Amelia Sherwood of Greenfield
were married at Greenfield.

.Ebenezer Silliman of North Fair-
field and Sarah Penfield of
Fairfield.

.David Lacy of Stratfield and
Katharine Silliman of Fairfield
were married at Stratfield.

.Abraham Cooper Woodhull of
Brookhaven, on Long Island,
and Eunice Sturges of Fair-
field.

.John Perry and Hannah Thorp.

.Joseph Wyatt of Newjiort,
Rhode Island, and Iluldah
Mason of Fairfield.

.Benjamin Sherwood, Jr., of
Greenfield and Anna Hull of
Fairfield.

.Ezekiel Oysterbanks of Green-
field and Esther Beers of
Fairfield.

.George Allen and Iluldah Knap.

.Sylvanus Middlebrook of Green-
field and Elizabeth Wilson of
Fairfield.

.Jabez Perry and Susanna Jen-
nings.

.James Knap and Mary Brown.

.Peter Hull and Mary Redfield
were married at Greenfield.

.Joshua Davis of Long Island
and Abigail Redfield of Green-
field.

Jan.

1783

April

:-.

.783.

May

1783

Sept.

1783

Nov.

13.

1783

Dec.

11,

1783

Jan.

18,

1784

Jan.

18,

1784

April

.784

.•\pril 18, 1784.

June

20,

1784

Oct.

1784.

Oct.

28,

1784.

Nov.

1784.

Dec.

1784.

Dec.

1784

Dec.

16,

1784.

Dec.

26,

1784.

Jan.

1785

March 3, 1785.

Nov. 15. 1785,

Nov. 24, 1785.

Dec. 22, 1785.

Feb. 2, 1786,

...David Ogden of Greenfield and
Sally Perry of Fairfield.

...William Pike of Roxbury, Mass.,
and Molly Darrow of Fairfield.

...Stephen Runnels of Lee, New
Hampshire, and Anna Nich-
ols of Fairfield.

...Benjamin Sturges and Thankful
Darrow.

...Mr. David Judson and Miss Es-
ther Bulkley.

...Joseph Noyes, Esq., and Miss
Amelia Burr.

...Gideon Hawley of North Strat-
ford and Hannah Penfield of
Fairfield.

...Aaron Rawlings of New Market,
New Hampshire, and Mary
Jennings of Fairfield.

...Benjamin Dickenson of Long
Island and Esther Ogden of
Fairfield.

...Caleb Brewster of Brook Haven,
on Long Island, and Anna
Lewis of Fairfield.

...Thomas Hill and Catherine Jen-
nings.

...Gideon Hawley and Levina Dar-
row, both of Stratfield, were
married at Fairfield.

...Aaron Whaley of Greenfield and
Hannah Silliman of Fairfield.

...Stephen Stirling and Sarah Sher-
man, both of Stratfield, were
married at Stratfield.

...Silliman Wilson and Rhoda Sil-
liman.

. ..Hezekiah Burr, Jr., and Mary
Annable.

...The Rev. Mr. William Lockwood
of Milford and Miss Sarah
Sturges of Fairfield.

...Abel Turney and Deborah Bulk-
ley.

...Daniel Osborn, Jr., and Debo-
rah Gold.

...John Redfield and l-^sther Thorp.

. ..Capt. Samuel Keeler and Mrs.
Anna Thatcher, both of Nor-
walk, were married at Nor-
walk.

...Thomas Staples, Jr., and Mar-
tha Treadwell.

...Wright Weeks of Huntington,
on Long Island, and Mary
Perry of Fairfield.

...Zalmon Sherwood of Greenfield
and Sarah Ogden of Fairfield.

. ..Eleazar Bulkley and Mary Og-
den.

. . .Joseph Beers and Mary Bud-
dington.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 523

Feb. 4. 1786.

March 8, 1786.

March 30, 1786.

April 13, 1786.

July 4, 17S6.,

Sept. 14, 1786.

Dec. 24, 1786.

Feb. 15, 1787..

-Vpril 7, 1787.

May 10, 1787.

Oct. 29, 1787.,

Oct. 31, 1787.

Nov. II, 1787.

Jan. 24, 1788.

April 20, 1788.

April 27, 1788

May 4, 1788

Nov. 26, 1788

Dec. 18, 1788

Feb. 19, 1789

March 15, 1789

April 5, 1-89

May 7, 1789.

June 21, 1789

July 20, 1789.

Aug. 2, 1789.

Aug. 16, 1789.

Sept. 9, 1789.

. .Hezekiah Gold and Ellen Ho-
bart.

..Mr. John Noyes of Fairfield and
Miss Eunice Sherwood of
Norfield were married at Nor-
field.

. .Sturges Ogden of Greenfield
and Zoe Thorp of Fairfield.

..Joel Hurr of Reading and Eliza-
beth Gold of Fairfield.

..Paul Sheffield of Stonington and
Mabel Thorp of Fairfield.

..William Robinson of Fairfield
and Abigail Smith of New
London.

..James I'enfield, Jr., and Mary
Tucker.

.Nathan Adams Hayes and Phebe
Sturges.

..Daniel Osborn, Jr., and Mary
Bartram.

. .Jesse Lyon of Greenfield and
Sarah Godfrey of Fairfield.

..Gamaliel Bradford Whiting and
Mary Dimon.

. .Miah Perry and Elizabeth Di-
mon.

..William Sturges and Mary Os-
born.

..Edward Sturges of Fairfield and
Elizabeth Ogden of Green-
field were married at Fair-
field.

. .James Van der Speagle Wyn-
koop of I'airfield and Sarah
Price of Greenfield were mar-
ried at Fairfield.

..Peter Whitney and Grace Bulk-
ley.

..Robert Jennings and Abigail
Barlow.

..Gold Silliman and Esther Spald-
ing.

..Allen Nichols and Abigail Stur-
ges.

..John Walker Odell and Clary
Gregory, both of Stratfield,
were married at Stratfield.

..Elijah Morehouse and Hannah
Bulkley.

..Abraham Gold and Anna Os-
born.

..William Squire and Esther Gold.

...Barlow Sturges and Eunice Os-
born.

..Samuel Squire, Esq., and Miss
Ellen Gold.

..Jesse Wilson and Sarah Jen-
nings.

..David Barlow and Hannah
Patchin.

..\yUIiam Henry Capers of the

Parish of St. Helena, in South

Carolina, and Abigail Burr of

Fairfield.
Sept. 9, 1789 Barnabas Hedge of Plymouth,

Mass., and Eunice Dennie

Burr of Fairfield.
Sept. 10, 1789. . . .Gershom Burr of Fairfield and

Susanna Young of Stratfield

were married at Stratfield.

Nov. 24, 1789 Abijah Knap and Esther Burr.

Nov. 26,1789 David Russel of Bennington,

Vermont, and Martha Pyn-

chon of Fairfield.
Dec. 8, 1789 Ebenezer Plat of Reading and

Abigail Truby of Fairfield.
Dec. 20, 1789 Silliman Gray of Greenfield and

Anna Hubbel of Fairfield.
Dec. 22, 1789. .. .William Hayes of Fairfield and

Jane Redfield of Greenfield.
Jan. 21, 1790 York, a negro servant to Capt.

Samuel Smedley, and Kate,

negro servant to Nathan Bulk-
ley, Esq.

Feb. 7, 1790 Isaac Gold and Ellen Jennings.

Feb. 20, 1790 Nehemiah Hayes and Eunice

Wilson.
March 18, 1790. .. .Jesse Bradley of Greenfield and

Mary Morehouse of Fairfield.
Dec. 16, 1790 James Bulkley, Jr., of Fairfield

and Sarah Smith, 2nd, of Nor-

walk.
Jan. 9, 1791. .. .Silliman Meeker of Green's

Farms and Sarah Thorp of

Fairfield.
Feb. 3, 1791 Abraham Morehouse, Jr., and

Sarah Bulkley.
Feb. II, 1791 Christopher, negro servant to

Capt. Jonathan Maltby and

Dinah, negro servant to Mr.

Gershom Burr.
Feb. 13, 1791 Peter Jennings and Hannah

Tucker.
Feb. 20, 1791. . . .Ezekiel Lovcjoy of Stratford and

Hannah Hawley of Fairfield.
March 9, 1791 Nathan Oysterbanks and Livia

Drusilla Soards.
April 3, 1791 William Jennings and Charlotte

Wilson.

May 22, 1791 Squire Parrot and Rhoda Knajp.

June 16, 1791 Andrew Wakeman and Eunice

Smedley.
June 16, 1791 Samuel Staples and Esther

Parsons.
Sept. 29, 1791 Barnabas Lotlirop Sturges and

Mary Sturges.
Nov. 23, 1791 John Wheeler of Weston and

Abia Turney of Fairfield.
Dec. 4, 1791 Scth Sturges, Jr., and Grizzel

Gold.

Feb. 2, 1792 John Wheeler and Lydia Squire.

Jan. 9, 1792 Ebenezer Silliman and Anna

Gold.

524

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

Jan. 22, 1792.

March 5, 1792.

March 8, 1792.

March 27, 1792.

Aug.

19,

1792. .

Aug.

22,

1792..

Sept.

20,

1792..

Oct.

j8.

1792..

Nov.

25,

1792..

Dec.

1792..

March

1793- •

June

1793- ■

J"iy

29.

1793- •

Aug.

12,

1793- •

Oct.

793- ••

Xov.

10,

1793- .

Nov.

10,

1793- •

Xov.

18,

1793- •

Dec, 1793.

Jan. 30, 1794.

June 5, 1794

Aug., 1794,

Sept. II, 1794

Oct. 16, 1794

Oct. 22, 1794

Oct. 30, 1794

Nov. 27, 1794

..Walter Staples of Fairfield and
Mary Lord of Weston.

..William Thorp and Mary
Tucker.

..Daniel Young. Jr., of Strat-
field and Eunice Hubbel of
Fairfield.

..Stephen Burroughs of Strat-
field and Mary Jennings of
Boston, Mass., were married
at Fairfield.

..James Knap, Jr, and Abigail
Penfield.

.Daniel Wilson, Jr., and Anna
Jennings.

..Nathaniel Lewis Sturges and Sa-
rah Bulkley.

..Samuel Squire, 3d, and Lucy
Squire.

.Moses Hubbel of Greenfield and
Anna Silliman of Fairfield.

.Nathan Lewis of Derby and
Jerusha Bartram of Fairfield.

.Titus, negro servant to Mr. Pe-
ter Burr, and Nance, negro
servant to Capt. Ezekiel Hull.

..William Pitt Beers, Esq., and
Anna Sturges.

, .Lebbeus Brown and Hannah
Godfrey.

..Jonathan Sturges, Jr, and Pris-
cilla Lothrop Burr.

.Stephen Middlebrook, Jr., of
North Stratford and Ellen
Gold of Fairfield.

.David Sturges and Thankful Os-
born.

.Gershom Beers of Fairfield and
Sarah White of Greenfield.

.Seth Silliman, Jr., of Fairfield
and Elizabeth Morehouse of
Stratfield were married at
Stratfield.

..Richard Bangs and Elizabeth
Bulkley.

. .Medad Gold of Greenfield and
Elizabeth Jackson of Fair-
field.

. .Ebcnczer Burr, 4th, and Sarah
Dimon.

.Jason Gold and Catherine Car-
son.

..Nathan Perry of Greenfield and
Ruth Morehouse of Fairfield.

..Benjamin Wilson and Martha
Perry.

.Abraham Willey of Danbury and
Mary Penfield of Fairfield.

..Samuel Rowland and Sarah
Maltby.

, .Priamus, negro servant to Mr.
Moses Jennings, and Caty,

negro servant to Mrs. Sarah
Sturges.

Dec. 16, 1794 Hezekiah Osborn and Nancy

Perry.

Jan. 7, 1795 Nathan Guyer and Elizabeth

Jennings.

Feb. 8, 1795 James Wilson and Sarah Wilson.

May 7, 1795 Ephraim Penfield and Esther

Turney.

June 14, 179s Nehemiah Phippeny and Jo-
hanna Parmiter.

Nov. 5, 1795 John Gold Allen and Elizabeth

Nichols.

Nov. 22, 1795 Joseph Hayes and Grizzcl Burr.

April 3, 1796 Amos Wilson of Fairfield and

Phebe Bangs of Stratfield were
married at Stratfield.

April 21, 1796 Ozias Burr, Jr., of Stratfield and

Lois Jennings of Fairfield.

Aug. 29, 1796 Jesup Wakeman and Esther Di-
mon.

May 29, 1796 Francis Botsford and Ruth

Nichols, both of Stratfield,
were married at Stratfield.

July 16, 1796 Elijah Turril and Clary Meeker.

Aug. 16, 1796 Isaac Marquand and Mabel

Perry.

Sept. 22, 1796 Elijah Bibbins and Lucretia

Jennings.

Nov. 6, 1796 Job Bartram and Ruthy Holber-

ton.

Nov. II, 1796. .. .Sturges Thorp and Nancy Stur-
ges.

Dec. 18. 1796 Lewis Goodsell and Debby Jen-
nings.

Dec. 21, 1796 Stephen Beers and Lydia Hobart.

Dec. 29, 1796 Jesse Wheeler of Greenfield and

Annah Ogden of Fairfield.

Feb. 5, 1797 John Alvord of Greenfield and

Elizabeth Bulkley of Fairfield.

May 23, 1797 James Johnson, Jr., of Weston

and Elizabeth Burr of Fair-
field.
.Isaac Bulkley and Abigail Tur-
ney.
Thomas Bartram and Sarah Burr.
.Jonathan Warren of Troy, New
York, and Ellen Allen of
Fairfield.

2, 1798 Edward Allen Morehouse of

Fairfield and Betsey Webb of
Greenfield were married at
Greenfield.

I, 1798 Selleck Burr of Green's Farms

and Abigail Jennings of Fair-
field.

Oct. 21, 1798 John Morehouse and Hannah

Gold.

Nov. 4, 1798 Ethan Sherwood and Abigail

Bibbins.

Jan. 30, 1799 .\aron Hubbel and Betsey Jen-
nings.

J"iy 13.

Nov. 16. 1797.
Feb. 13, 1798.

Sept.

Oct.

FIRST EXTANT PARISH RECORD OF CHRIST'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD 525

July 7, 1799. .. .Peter Sturges of Greenfield and
Clarina Bulkley of Fairfield.

July 21, 1799 Philo Ruggles, Esq., of New

Milford and Ellen Bulkley of
Greenfield were married at
Greenfield.

Aug. 21, 1799 John Wheeler and Catherine

Holberton.

Nov. 28, 1799 Abel Ogden and Betsey Sher-
wood.

Dec. 14, 1799 Andrew Mallery and Sarah Hub-

bel.

Jan. 2, 1800 Bethuel Ogdtn of Fairfield and

Sarah Nichols of Reading.

Jan. 12, 1800 Joseph Nichols of Newton and

Sally Hulbert of Greenfield
were, married at Greenfield

March 20, 1800 David Wilson and Betsey Bib-
bins.

March 23, 1800 Levi Jennings and Hannah Jen-
nings.

April 13, jSoc... William Wheeler and Rhoda
Parrot.

April 19, 1800 Jonathan Silliman and Lydia

Jarvis.

July 31, 1800 Joab Squire and Mary Bulkley.

July 31, 1800 Wheeler Judson of Fairfield and

Catherine Lewis of Stratford
were married at Stratford.

Oct. 26, 1800 Lockwood Adams and Mary

Gray were married at Nor-
field.

Dec. 18, 1800 Samuel Wakeman and Sally

Burr.

Jan. 3, 1801 Nathaniel Burr and Betsey Jen-
nings.

April 16, 1801 Joseph Sturges and Sarah Burr.

Aug. 2, 1801 Nathan Thompson Nichols and

Hannah McKenzie.

Oct. 5, 1801 Stephen Miller of New York and

Elizabeth Sturges of Fairfield.

Oct. 15, 1801 Gershom Burr and Elizabeth

Eliot.

Oct. 19, 1801 Stephen Beach of Vermont and

Anne Penfield of Trumbull
were married at Fairfield.

Dec. 31, 1801 Daniel Beers Osborn and Sally

Wakeman.

March 7, 1802 Gold Morehouse of Fairfield and

Betsey Meeker of Greenfield
were married at Fairfield.

May 16, 1802 Abraham Benson and Esther

Jarvis.

Aug. I, 1802 Prince Freeman and Priscilla

Jennings.

Aug. 27, 1802 Primus, servant to Mr. Moses

Jennings, and Mary Jube,
free-woman.

Sept. 22, 1802 Billy Bibbins and Anna More-
house.

Jan. 9, 1803 Ebenezer Bartram and Abigail

Jennings.

Jan. 9, 1803 James Chapman of Green's

Farms and Ellen Squire of
Fairfield.

Jan. 19, 1803 Walter Bradley, Esq., of Green-
field and Nancy Abenarthur
of New Haven were married
at Greenfield.

Jan. 23, 1803 Barnabas Bartram and Deborah

Squire.

June 9, 1803 Peter Bradley and Nancy Mc-

Raa.

June 12, 1803 Abel Hubbel and Sally Turney.

Aug. 9, 1803 Stephen Wheeler and Betsey

Knap. Her true name is Eliz-
abeth, as appears by the rec-
ord of her baptism.

Dec. 6, 1803 John Allen of No. Sherman and

Elizabeth Maltbie of Fairfield.

Dec. 18, 1803 Arthur Cullum of New York and

Harriet Sturges of Fairfield.

Dec. 18, 1803 Ebenezer Burr, 4th, and Eunice

Ogden.

Dec. 24, i8o3....Ezekiel Webb and Harriet Shef-
field.

Jan. IS, 1803 Seth Osborn and Eunice Burr.

March 18, 1804 Gershom Thomas of Wilton and

Polly Lyon of Greenfield were
married at Fairfield.

March 25, 1804 James Allen of Sherman and

Abigail Dimon of Fairfield.

April 29, 1804 Gershom Bulkley of Harriston,

New York, and Mary Osborn
of Fairfield.

May 6, 1804 Isaiah Jennings and Hannah

Burr.

May 6, 1804 Abraham Benson and Grizzel

Burr.

Sept. 9, 1804 William Pell Smith of New York

and Eunice Squire of Fair-
field.

Oct. 7, 1804.... David Penfield and Elizabeth
Bulkley.

Oct. 7, 1804 Benjamin Marston Watson of

Plymouth, Mass., and Lucre-
tia Burr Sturges of Fairfield.

Nov. 18, 1804 Benjamin Fairchild of Stratford

and Eunice Elwood of Fair-
field.

Dec. 9, 1804 Stephen Barlow of Saugatuck

and Abigail Sturges of Fair-
field.

March 17, 1805 Isaac Bertine of New York and

Lydia Putnam of Fairfield.

May 12, 1805 Heathcote Muirson and Cynthia

Wheeler.

June 30, 1805 Prince Freeman and Phillis Os-
born.

July 20, 1805.... John Sniffin of Long Island and
Mary Morehouse Green of
Fairfield.

INDEX

Abel, Major Elijah, election of, as represen-
tative, II, 344, 356.

Abercrombie, General, command of military
forces by, II, 202; defeat of, 219.

Adams P'amily, genealogy of, I, 349.

Adams, John, grant to, I, 116.

Albemarle, Lord, command of troops by,
11, 244.

Allegiance, opposition of bishop and primate
to oath of, I, 251.

Allen Family, genealogy of, II, 441.

Allen, Colonel Ethan, capture of Ticon-
deroga by, II, 298.

Alliance, Triple, formation of, I, 134.

Amhurst, General, command of military
forces by, II, 223; surrender of Montreal
to, 233; congratulations sent to, 234.

Amsterdam, New, preparations for defense
of, I, Tj; capture of, 166.

Andre, Major, execution of, II, 415.

Andrews Family, genealogy of, I, 350; II,
441.

Andros, Governor, demands of, I, 175; con-
flict with, 175; thanks given to, 182; de-
feat of Indians by, 183; assumption of
authority by, 233; order for surrender of
charter by, 234; commission of, as gov-
ernor of Connecticut, 239; changes in
laws made by, 241, 243; enlargement of
authority given to, 245 ; oppressions of,
246; removal of, from office, 247; escape
of, from confinement, 252 ; capture of, 253.

Anne, proclamation of, as queen, II, 4; con-
gratulations sent to, 5, 36; assistance re-
quested by, 18; visit of Colonel Schuyler
and sachems to, 24; thanks sent to, 30;
death of, 39.

Applegate's Landing, highway to, laid out,
I- 350.

Arbitration, establishment of courts of, II,
177.

Army, American, organization of, II, 290.

Arnold, Benedict, part of, at capture ot
Ticonderoga, II, 298; command of ex-
pedition against Canada by, 306; partici-
pation of, in battle of Bemis Heights,
358; treason of, 415.

Articles of War, adoption of, II, 298.

Ashurst, Sir Henry, appoir^tment of, as-
agent for colonies, II, 7.

Assembly, ecclesiastical, attendance of, I,
142 ; colonial, changes in, 299.

Assistants, elections of, I, 32, 88, no, in,
142, 150, 159, 194, 205, 207, 212, 219, 223,
225, 258, 264, 272, 282, 293, 297, 301 ; II,
3, 4, S, 6, 8, 15, 18, 27, 38, 44, 45, 49, 52.
64> 7i, 78, 81, 93, 97, 98, 100, no, US, 117,
n8, 122, 124, 133, 13s, 140, 143, 144, 146,
^55, 159, 163, 167, 17s, 176, 181, 189, 199,
207, 208, 217, 220, 222, 231, 232, 236, 239,
243, 252, 254.

Attorney, Queen's, establishment of office of,
II. 6.

Banks Family, genealogy of, I, 351.
Banks, John, election of, as representative,

I, no, 121, 128, 132, 164, 169, 17s, 177,

194, 207, 212, 219, 221; death of, 224;

services of 224.
Baptist Church, establishment of first, II,

174; dissensions in, 205.
Barlow Family, genealogy of, I, 352.
Bartram Family, genealogy of, I, 353.
Bears, bounties on, I, 134.
Beers Family, genealogy of, I, 353.
Bell, first, purchase of, I, 228; use of, 229.
Bcnnct, James, election of, as representative,

I, 285, 293, 301 ; II, 18.

s28

INDEX

Berkeley, Governor, invitation of, to Prince
Charles, I, 78.

Berkeley, Rev. George, gifts of, to Yale
College, II, 105, 107; divinity school
named for, 107.

Black Rock Harbor, entrance of, by Dutch
vessels, I, 79.

Block Island, descent upon, by French, I,
272.

Boston, commissioners at, I, Tj; English
fleet at, 89; revolt of people of, ■2j\t,
closing of harbor of, II. 284; evacuation
of, 310.

Bradley Family, genealogy of, I, 354.

Bradstreet, General, command of troops by,
II, 202; capture of Fort Frontenac by, 217.

Brewster, Captain Caleb, expedition in com-
mand of, II, 398.

Buckingham, Rev. Mr., death of, II, 260.

Bulkley Family, genealogy of, I, 358.

Bunker Hill, battle of, II, 301.

Burgoyne, General, defeat of, II, 358.

Burial Place, establishment of, I, 236.

Burr Family, genealogy of, I, 359 ; II, 444.

Burr, Colonel Aaron, part of, in expedition
against Canada, II, 307.

Burr, Rev. Aaron, ordination of, as pastor,
II, 121 ; services of, T2i.

Burr, Andrew, appointment of, as sheriff,
II, 82; election of, as representative, 100,
no, 115, 117, 118, 122, 124, 133, 138, 140,
143, 144; commission of, as captain, in;
appointment of, as justice of peace, 117;
election of, as speaker, 140, 143, 144;
choice of, as judge, 146, 155, 159, 163, 167,
"^TS' T76, 181, 189, 208, 217, 222, 232, 236.
239, 243, 248; election of, as assistant, 154,
159. 163, 167, 175, 176, 181, 189, 199, 207,
208, 217, 220, 222, 231, 236, 239, 243, 248;
death of, 270.

Burr, David, election of, as representative,
II, 236, 243, 248, 252, 254, 261, 264, 268,
275 277 ; appointment of, as auditor, 269.

Burr, George, election of, as representative,
II, 381.

Burr, Jehu, election of, as representative, I,
52, no, n6, 139, 142, 151, 162, 171, 17s,
177, 194, 205, 212, 219, 221, 223, 225, 230,
264; land granted to, 164; appointment of,
as grand juror, 103; choice of. as commis-

sioner, 121 ; death of, 283 ; services of,
283.
Burr, John, election of, as representative, I,
132, 151, 159, 164, 171, 230, 233, 23s; II,
6, 8, 15, 27, 38, 45- 52, 55, 64, 1Z, 75, 78,
81, 92, 93, 135, 159; choice of, as assistant,

I, 258, 264, 272, 282; II, 93, 97, 98, 100, no,
ni, ns, 117, 118, 122, 124, 133; appoint-
ment of, as major, 25; election of, as
speaker, 74, 75 ; choice of, as treasury
auditor, 81, no; election of, as judge, 83,
85, 90, 93, 97, 98, no, ni, 117, 118, 122,
124, 133, 138, 140, 144; appointment of, as
colonel, 126.

Burr, Nathaniel, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 274, 278, 285; II, 2.

Burr, Nathaniel, Jr., choice of, as represent--
ative, I, 295.

Burr, Peter, election of, as representative, IF,
3 ; choice of, as speaker, 3 ; election of,
as assistant, 5, 6, 8, 15, 18, 23, 27, 44,. 45.
49, 52, 64, TZ, 75 ; appointment of, on com-
mittee of public safety, 6; election of, as
judge, 17, 24, 29, 2>z, 39, 41, 44, 46, 49, 53>
55, 64, "]},, 74 75 ; appointment of, as
major, 18; choice of, as treasury auditor,
24, 2,7» 7?i ; appointment of, to settle
boundary line, 26 ; death of, 77 ; services
of, 77-

Burr, Samuel, election of, as representative,

II, 90, 92, 93, 97, 98, III, ns, 133, 138,
140, 143, 146, 155, 17s, 176, 181 ; choice of,
as treasury auditor, 90; appointment of, as
justice of peace, 124.

Burr, Thaddeus, election of, as representa-
tive, II, 97, 144, 146, 155. 159. 312. 3,72\
appointment of, as member of council of
safety, 370, 383.

Burr, William, election of, as representative,
11, 189, 217, 220, 222.

Cabell I'amily. genealogy of. I, 362.
Calendar, Gregorian, adoption of, IT, 178.
Caner, Rev. Henry, ministrations of, II, 157.
Caner, Rev. Richard, services of, II, 157.
Canonchet, execution of, I, 193.
Cattle, marks of, I, 49.
Cavalry, first, formation of, I, 103; rules
governing, ni ; salary of members of, n2.
Chapman Family, genealogy of. II, 442.

INDEX

529

Chapman, Rev. Daniel, installation of, as
pastor, II, 40, 44; death of, 140; services
of, 140.

Charles I., dethronement of, I, 62; death of,
63 ; character of, 1 1, 62.

Charles II., invitation sent to, I, 78; alle-
giance acknowledged to, 105 ; death of,
--'I-

Charter, seizure and concealment of, I, 240;
legality of, 265.

Chauncy Family, genealogy of, II, 443.

Chauncy, Rev. Charles, election of, as
pastor, 1, 285; thanks given to, II, 3;
death of, 40.

Christ's Church, bequest to, I, 48; first par-
ish record of, II, 465.

Church of Englanid, introduction of ser-
vices of, II, 10; public sentiment in regard
to, 13, 18; progress of, 68, 74; discharge
from Yale College of members of, 71 ;
first warden and vestrymen of first society
of, 75 ; protests of members of, 85, 94, 123,
162, 170; church erected by, 123; pros-
perity of first society of, 160, 180; political
attitude of members of, 259.

Church of Rome, fears of, I, 249.

Claims, order against, I. 219.

Cohause, execution of, I, 199.

Coley Family, genealogy of, I, 362.

Collier, Sir George, demand of. for sur-
render of Fairfield, II, 386; attack on
Fairfield by, 387.

Colonies, confederation of, I. 32.

Commerce, encouragement of, I, 218.

Compo Neck, division of, I, 338.

Congregational Church, usages of, II, 15,
67; theological views of, 58; houses of
worship of, 58, services of, 103.

Constables, responsibilities of, 1, 15; rules
for government of, 16.

Cooke Family, genealogy of. It, 444.

Cooke. Rev. Samuel, choice of, as pastor, IT,
53; death of, 158; character of, 159.

Cornbury, Lord, intrigues of, II, 7.

Cornwallis, Lord, victory by, II, 324; sur-
render of, 420.

Couch Family, genealogy of, I, 363.

Couch, Captain Samuel, election of, as
representative, II, 55, no; appointment
of, as justice of peace, 122, 124.

Council, military, establishment of, I, i8i ;

king's privy, questions by, 212; of safety,

appointment of, 253.
Courts, varieties of, I, 16; expenses of, 114:

changes in, 241, 296; regulation of, 298.
Covenant, discussions concerning, I, 283.
Cromwell, Oliver, title of Lord Protector

nf I'jigland given to, I. 78.

Danbury. naming of, I, 238; attack upon, II,
341-

Daughters of Liberty, organization of, II.
285.

Davenport, Abraham, election of. as judge.
II, 381.

Davenport, Rev. John, part of. in settlement
of New Haven. I. 11.

Debt, property taken for. I, 132; imprison-
ment for, 277.

Deed, general Indian, copy of, I, 330; ot
Old Indian Field, copy of. ^32 ; of Indian
Highway, copy of, 340.

Deer, protection of, I, 298.

Denny Family, genealogy of, I, 366.

Deserters, punishment of, II, 30.

Dinion, Colonel David, death of. II. 354:
services of, 354; life of, 445.

Dimond Family, genealogy of, I, 367.

Dividends, rates governing, I, 106.

Donop, Count, death of. II. 351.

Douglas, Sir James, conmiand of English
fleet by, II, 244.

Drake, Samuel, election of. as representa-
tive.. I, 112.

Dudley, Governor, intrigues of. II. 7; re-
quest for military assistance by, 11.

Dudley, Joseph, choice of. as chief-justice.
I, 240.

Dunmore, Lord, defeat of, II, 316.

Dutch, trouble with, I, 26; seizure of vessel
belonging to, 72; preparations for war
with, 74; war declared against, 84;
threatened attack upon, by English, 122;
surrender of. to English, 122.

Dwellings, first, construction of. I. 145.

Dwight family, genealogy of, II, 447.

Education, promotion of, T, 264.
Edwards, John, election of. as representa-
tive, II, 8, 49.

530

INDEX

Edwards, Rev. Jonatlian, ministrations of,
II, 129.

England, war of, against Holland, I, 72,
162; peace of, with Holland, 89, 171; ap-
peal of Colonies to, 258; peace of, with
France, II, 36; war of, against Spain, 127;
war of, against France, 143 ; peace of,
with Spain and France, 163 ; war of,
against France, 192 ; war of, against
Spain, 244; peace of, with France, 246;
war of, against Colonies, 292 ; peace of,
with Colonies, 422.

Epidemics, prevalence of, I, 208; II, 113.

Estaing, Cound d', blockade of English ships
by, II, Z72.

Estates, list of, I, 130; record made of, 219; |
sale of, 285. I

Exports, promotion of, I, 26.

Extravagance, efforts for suppression of, I
202.

Fanton Family, genealogj' of, I, 367.

Farewell, George, choice of, as attorney-
general, I, 240.

Farmers, Bankside, settlement of, I, 56:
declaration of independence by, 131.

Fasts, observance of, I, 39, 80, 98, 121, 142
159. 175. 184, 204, 208, 216, 220, 222, 223
253, 266, 297; II, 9, 39, 44, 56, 146, 152
200, 218, 283.

Fenwick, Governor, command of fort by, I
I, 32 ; appointment of, as messenger to j
England, 49; death of, 104.

Fields, burning of grass in, I.. 115.

Fires, regulations for prevention of, I, 205.

Fishery Bill, passage of, by Parliament, II,
290.

Flag, adoption uf, II, 315, 349.

Fletcher, Governor, appointment of, as com-
mander of militia, I, 278; attempt of, to
control- troops, 2S0; demands of, for
troops, 290, 294.

Food of Early Settlers, I, 148.

Forests, preservation of, I, 302.

Fort Saybrook, tax for purchase of, I, 49.

Fortifications, maintenance of, I, 282.

France, war against, II, 147, 192 ; assistance
from, 365.

Franchise, freedom of, I, 254.

I'Vaiikbn, Dr. Benjamin, examination of, l)y

House of Commons, II, 259; removal of,
from office, 282; election of, as commis-
sioner to France, 339; presentation of,
to King of France, 364.

Frazier, General, death of, II, 358.

Freedom, religious, first step toward estab-
lishment of, II, 85.

Freemen, list of, in 1669, I, 328.

Frontenac, General, command of troops by,
I, 256.

Frost Family, genealogy of, I, 368.

Frost, William, bequest of, to Christ's
Church, I, 48.

Gage, General, command of troops by, II,
250; communications from, 250, 262; ap-
pointment of, as governor, 282; attempt
of, to seize cannon, 291.

Genealogies. Adams, I, 349 ; Allen, II, 441 ;
Andrews, I, 350, II, 441 ; Banks, I, 351 ;
Barlow, I, 352; Bartram, I, 353; Beers, I,
353; Bradley, I, 354; Bulkley, I, 35S;
Burr, I, 359; II, 444; Cabell, I, 362;
Chapman, II, 442 ; Chauncy, II, 443 ;
Coley, I, 362; Cooke, II, 444; Couch, I,
363; Denny, I, 366; Dimond, I, 367;
Dwight, II, 447; Eliot, II, 449; Fanton,
1. Z^T, Forgue, II, 449; Frost, I, 368;
Gilbert, I, 368; Godfree, or Godfrey, I,
},-j2\ Gold, I, 370; II, 449; Goodsell, II,
450; Gould, 1, 369, 370; Gray, I, 374;
Green, I, 375; Grumman, I, 375; Hall, I,
375; Hedge, I, 2>7^\ Hewit, II, 450; Hide,
I, 2,7T, Hill, I, 378; Hobart, II, 451 ; Hub-
bell, I, 379; Hull, I, 381; II, 452; Hum-
phry, II, 452; Jackson, I, 382; Jennings,
I. ,383; Jesup, or Jessup, I, 386; Jones,
I. 387 ; Joy, I, 391 ; Knap, I, 391 ; Knowles.

I, 392; Laborie, II, 453; Lamson, II, 452;
Lockwood, I, 392; Lord, I, 393; Lyon, I.
393; Mallery, I, 369; McKensey, II, 453;
Middlcbrook, I, 395; Morehouse, I, 395;
Nash, I, 396; Nichols, I, 398; Nougeiere,

II, 453; Odell, I, 399; Ogden, I, 400;
Osborn, I, 401; Pomeroy, II, 459; Read,
I, 402; Reid, II, 459; Ripley, II, 460; Rob-
inson, I, 403; Roots, I, 403; Rowland, I,
403; II, 454; Sandford, I, 404; Seeley, I,
405; Sheffield, II, 461; Shelton, II, 455;
Sherman, II, 457; Sherwood, I, 408; Silli-

INDEX

531

man, I, 406; II, 458; Smedley, II, 458;
Sprague, I, 411; Squire, I, 411; Staples,

I, 412; Sturges, I, 412; II, 461; Tennant,

II, 459; Thompson, I, 414; Treadwell, I,
414; Turney, I, 414; Wakeman, I, 417;
Ward, I, 418; Webb, I, 420; Wheeler, I,
421; Whelpley, I, 422; Wilson, I, 423.

George I., proclamation of, as king, II, 39;
congratulations sent to, 39.

George II., proclamation of, as king, II, 86;
congratulations sent to, 153, 234; com-
munication from, 215; gratitude ex-
pressed to, 261.

Gibbons, Major Edward, appointment of,
as commander-in-chief, I, 50.

Gilbert Family, genealogy of, I, 368.

Godfree, or Godfrey, Family, genealogy of,

I, 372.

Godfrey, Jonathan, services of, II, 427.

Gold Family, genealogy of, I, 370.

Gold, Lieutenant-Colonel Abraham, death
of, II, 342; services of, 343.

Gold, Lieutenant Nathan, choice of, as
magistrate, I, 103, 116; election of, as
assistant, 97, iii, 121; appointment of, as
commander-in-chief, 163 ; patriotism of,
200; death of, 280; services of, 281.

Gold, Captain Nathan, election of, as assist-
ant, I, 289, 293, 3or; II, 3, 4, 5, 8, 15;
choice of, as judge, 2, 6, 8, 17, 24, 33, 39,
41, 44, 46, 47, 53, 55, 64; appointment of,
on committee of safety, 6; election of,
as deputy-governor, 15, 18, 23. 27, 44,
45. 49, 52, 55, 64. 67, 73 : appointment
of, to settle boundary line, 26; death of,

74-
Goodsell, Rev. John, choice of, as minister,

II, 79; ordination of, 82; death of, 250.
Governor, English, fear of. I, 12 : colonial,

change in election of, 254.
Grain, prohibition of exportation of, I, 182,

258, 286, 289; removal of restraint upon,

217; scarcity of, 293; prices of, 295.
Gray Family, genealogy of, I, 374.
Gray, Henry, election of, as representative,

I, 27, 32.
Green Family, genealogy of, i, 375.
Green, General, military successes of, II,

417.
Grumman Family, genealogy of, I. 375.

Guards, appointment of, I, 54 ; fining of,
220.

Iladley, attack of Indians upon, I, 195.
Hale, Captain Nathan, execution of, II,

325-

Halifax, Earl of, communication from, II,
250.

Hall Family, genealogy of, I, 375.

Hall, Rev. Lyman, services of, II, 159.

Hamilton, Duke and Duchess of, claims of
heirs of, I, 221.

Hancock, John, election of, as president ot
Assembly, II, 282.

Harding, Captain, capture of vessels by, II.
320.

Hartford, fortification of, I, 191.

Harvard College, maintenance of ministers
and students at, I, 48.

Harvey, Edmund, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 54-

Havana, capture of, II, 245.

Hedge Family, genealogy of, I, 376.

Herdsmen, duties of, I, 49.

Hide Family, genealogy of, I, 377.

Highways, fencing of, I, 272 ; laying out of,
285 ; regulation of, 298.

Hill Family, genealogy of, I, 378.

Hill, Eliphalet, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 270, 282.

Hill, Captain Thomas, election of, as repre-
sentative, II, 199, 208.

Hill, William, election of, as representative.
T, 72, 88, 92, 136, 139. 142, 159-

Hi.story, synopsis of. to 16S0, I, 212.

Hobart, Rev. Noah, election of, as pastor ;
II, loi ; characteristics of. 180.

Holland, war of, against England, I. 7-'.
162; peace of, with England, 89, 171.

Hopkins, Edward, election of, as governor,

I, 20; vessel fitted out by, 23; statement
of Indian outrages by, 36 ; plot for murder
of, 53-

Horses, branding of, I, 218.

Howe, Lord, death of, II, 217.

Howe, Sir William, command of forces by.

II, 308; evacuation of Boston by, 310;
proclamation by, 312; attack on Charles-
ton by, 323; evacuation of Philadelphia
by, 370; defeat of, 371.

532

INDEX

Hoyt, George, piloting of British fleet to
Fairfield by, II, 393.

Hu'bbell Family, genealogy of, I, 379.

Hubbell, Lieutenant Richard, election of, as
representative, I, 205, 207, 217; II, 44.

Hull Family, genealogy of, I, 381.

Hull, Cornelius, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 97, 99, 103, 112, 116, 136.

Hull, George, election of, as representative,
I.. SQj 69, 94; choice of, as assistant, 88.

Hull, Theophilus, election of, as representa-
tive, II, 15.

Hunn, Rev. William Nathaniel, election of,
as minister, II, 93.

Hutchinson, Mrs. Anne, banishment of,
from Boston, I, 39.

Indians, description of, I, 3; purchases made
of, 14; difficulties with, 27, 95; arms for-
bidden to 32; rising of, at Stamford, 39;
general combination of, 39; laws relating
to, 15, 103; supposed plot between Dutch
and, 74; war declared against, 91, 183,
257; land awarded to, 93, 199; military
laws for, 95; efiforts to pacify, 97; pro-
hibition against, 117; outrages by, 176;
war with, under King Philip, 179;
methods of defense against, i8d; attempts
to improve, 182 ; defeat of, at Hadley, 183 ;
at Pettyquamscot, 186; at Deerfield, 194;
at Westfield, 198; losses of, 199; taxing
of, 199; plots of, 215; attack on Fort
Chambly by, 242 ; attack on northern fron-
tiers by, 252 ; preparations for suppres-
sion of, 252 ; massacre at Schenectady by,
256; attack on Salmon Falls by, 256; pro-
tection of friendly, II, 6; defensive meas-
ures against, 1 1 ; efiforts to evangelize,
46, 91, ri8; inhimian treatment of, 237;
claims of, 258.

Independence, declaration of, II, 316; ac-
knowledgment of, by France, 364; ac-
knowledgment of, by Great Britain, 422.

Industries, domestic, development of, I, 22,
200.

Jackson Family, genealogy of, I, 382.
Jackson, Richard, thanks given to, II, 251 ;

instructions sent to, 257.
James II., proclamation of, as king, I, 225;

communication from, 227 ; summons from,
227; letters sent to, 231, 232; dissatisfac-
tion with, 245.

Jarvis, Lieutenant, part of, in defense of
Fairfield, II, 38S.

Jennings Family, genealogy of, I, 383.

Jesup, or Jessup, Family, genealogy of, I,
386.

Johnson, Rev. Dr. Samuel, election of, as
president of King's College, II, 186.

Jones Family, genealogy of, I, 387.

Jones, Rev. Eliphalet, settlement of, as
pastor, I, 172.

Jones, John Paul, victories of, II, 413.

Jones, Thomas, election of, as representa-
tive, I. 225.

Joy Family, genealogy of, I, 391.

Juries, law relating to, I, 277.

Kidd, Captain, commission to capture
pirates given to, I, 287 ; change of char-
acter of, 288; execution of, 288; treasures
of, 28S.

King's Ch?pcl, erection of, I, 241.

King's College, founding of, II, 186.

King's Highway, naming of, I, 208.

Knap Family, genealogy of, I, 391.

Knap, Goodwife, trial and execution of, I.
7T.

Knowles Family, genealogy of, I, 392.

Knowles, Alexander, election of, as assist-
ant, I, 88, no.

Laborie, Dr. James, services of, II, 48;
death of, 99.

Lafayette, Marquis de, espousal of American
cause by, II, 339.

Lake Champlain, battle on, IT, 331.

Lancaster, destruction of, by Indians, I. iqo.

Land, first purchase of, I, 2 ; laws relating
to sale of, 15; improvement of, 22; award
of, to Indians. 93 ; divisions of, 149. 244,
336, 338. 341; valuation of, H, 34; con-
troversy in regard to, 108.

Laws, relating to Indians, I, 14; sale of
land, 15; town courts, weights, and meas-
ures. 40; sale of liquors, management of
inns, and keeping of records. 41 ; mili-
tary. 58. T02; for Indians, 95; against lot-
teries, 96; II, 88, 91; to secure temper-

INDEX

533

ancc, 99 ; for magistrates, 103 ; against
piracy, 220 ; to provide powder money,
286; against turbulent and vicious
people, 296; prohibiting counterfeit
money, 301; II, 24; for support of min-
isters, 302; II, 115; governing seaports,
II, 4; for support of slaves, 4; establish-
ing office of queen's attorney, 6; against
drunkenness, 9; providing for election of
governor by people, 15; for improvement
of military companies, 21 ; requiring Sab-
bath observance, 21, 38, 42, 81, 90; estab-
lishing superior courts, 29 ; punishing
deserters, 30 ; correcting rogues and vaga-
bonds, 35, 116; relating to land titles, 46;
regarding duties of colony treasurer, "JZ \
specifying parish privileges, 83 ; bearing
upon members of Church of England, 85 ;
establishing house of correction, 87 ; locat-
ing meeting houses, 98; for preservation
of forests, 11 1; to encourage production
of silk. III; to promote raising of flax,
112; fining military officers, 117; punish-
ing mutilation of money, 117; dividing
sale and settlement of land, 119; ordering
prayers for royal family, 139; against
irregular preaching, 140; punishing mu-
tiny, 144; to give stability to currency,
155; to encourage trade, 155; to prevent
exportation of timber, 155 ; establishing
courts of arbitration, 177; for relief of
debtors, 248 ; enforcing discipline in army,
345 ; punishing disloyalty, 356 ; encourag-
ing fair-dealing, 356; condemning horse-
racing, 2)72) ; prohibiting trade in slaves,
yjZ', punishing duelling, 382; establishing
freedom of slaves at age of twenty-eight,
402 ; maintaining value of money, 404 ;
regulating currency, 407; granting equal
religious rights, 425.

Laws, Deputy-Governor Jonathan, appoint-
ment of, as lieutenant-general, II, 126.

Leather, sealing of, I, iir.

Ledyard, Colonel, murder of, II, 419.

Lee, Captain Charles, appointment of, as
major-general, II, 300; capitulation by,

Lee, Richard Henry, movement by, for free-
dom of colonies, II, 316.
Leisler, Captain Jacob, assumption by, of

military government, I, 250; counsel to,
from General Court, 250; pretensions of,
251; offer of assistance to, 253; severity
of, 256 ; attack by, upon Quebec, 260.

Lewis, Lathrop, election of, as representa-
tive, II, 199, 207, 208, 261.

Liberties, ecclesiastical, I, 123.

Liquors, laws relating to, I, 41, 55 ; restric-
tion of sale of, 286; II, 16; duties on, 298;
II, 16, 36; taxes levied upon, 56, 67; fine
laid upon, 86.

Lockwood Family, genealogy of, I, 392.

Lockwood, John, election of, as representa-
tive, II, 83.

Lockwood, Joseph, choice of, as representa-
tive, I, 289.

Lord Family, genealogy of, I, 393.

Lots, recorded in 1681, I, 335.

Lotteries, laws against, I, 96; II, 88, 91.

Loudoun, General, course of, as commander,
II, 202, 210.

Louis XIV., threats of invasion by, I, 256.

Louisburg, capitulation of, II, 219.

Loyalty, declarations of, I, 222, 225, 227, 234.

Ludlow, General Edmund, attitude of, to
ward Charles I., I, 63.

Ludlow, Deputy-Governor Roger, commis-
sion of, to settle Pequonnock, I, 2 ; com-
panions of, 9; fine laid upon, 10; apology
of, 10; laying out of town by, 16; pur-
chase of Norwalk by, 19; election of, as
judge, 20, 49, 52, 54, 59, 69; election of,
as deputy-governor, 2"], 55 ; choice of, as
assistant, 2,^, 72; prompt action of, 39;
appointment of, as commander of mili-
tary forces, 79; departure of, from Con-
necticut, 85 ; detention of, at New Haven,
86; sailing of, for Virginia, 87; life of, in
New England, 303.

Lying, condemnation of, I, 26.

Lyman, Phineas, appointment of, as com-
missioner. II, 196; commission of, as
major-general, 198.

Lyon Family, genealogy of, I, 393.

Lyon, Morris W., gift of library by, II, 427.

Mallery Family, genealogy of, I, 369.
Marquand, Frederic, benefactions of, IT, 427.
Mary, proclamation of, as queen, I, 248; re-
joicing in colonies at succession of, 248;

534

INDEX

address sent to, 248; appeal for favor of,
265; petition sent to, 278; establishment
of postal regulations by, 282 ; appeal made
to, 282; death of, 283.

Mather, Rev. Increase, delivery of com-
plaints to king by, I, 246 ; thanks given to,
265.

Mather, Nathaniel, gift of, to Massachusetts
towns, I, 204.

Measures, inspection of, I, 40; orders reg-
ulating, 143; standards for, 152.

Meigs, General, successful attack by, II,
344-

Middlebrook Family, genealogy of, I, 395.

Mile Stones, use of, I, 21.

Mill Creek, bridge built over, I, 290.

Ministers, maintenance of, I, 292, 302; II,
35, 38, IT4. 115; dissatisfaction of, 292;
repeal of tax for support of, II, 26.

Money, efforts to obtain, I, 221; valuation
of, 223, 289 : exchange of, 291 ; prohibition
of counterfeit, 301; issue of first paper,
II, 20.

Monmouth, battle of, II, 371.

Montcalm, General, defeat and death of, II,
225.

MontsTomery. General, command of expe-
dition against Canada by. II, 306; cap-
ture of St. Johns by. 306; capture of
Montreal by. 306; death of, 307.

Montreal, captures of, II, 233, 307.

Morality, early high standard of, I. 224;
decline of. 224.

Morehouse Family, genealo.ey of, I, 395.

Murray, General, command of forces by, II,
230.

Nash Fnmilv, genealogy of. I, 396.

New Haven, settlement of, T, 11 ; com-
plaints of neonle of. 117; union with,
I2i ; fortification of, 191 ; attack upon,
386.

New Lio^ht-?. belief and practices of. IT, 140.

Newton. Thomas, election of, as representa-
tive. T. /to.

New York, evacuation of. II. ^122.

Nichok Familv. genenlocry of. I. 398.

Nichohon. Gpneral, command of expedi-
tion bv. IT. 2q.

Norwalk, boundary line of, T, 225, 230. 236.

Odell Family, genealogy of, I, 399.

Officers, town, rights of, I, 118; military,
honors to, 204; military, oath required of.
216; military, instructions given to, 216;
civil, regulations for nominating, 295.

Ogden Family, genealogy of, I, 400.

Old Indian Field, division of, I, 219, 336;
deed of, 332.

Osborn Family, genealogy of, I, 401.

Osborn. Ensign John, election of, as repre-
sentative, 11, 6, 18, 85; confirmation of, as
captain, 41.

Patent, Connecticut, need of, I, 13 ; desire
for, 104; grant of, 112.

Paul's Neck, laying out of, I, 219.

Pell, Dr. Thomas, early life of, I, 68; elec-
tion of, as assistant, no; election of, as
representative, 121, 128.

Pepperell, Colonel, appointment of, as com-
mander in chief, II, 147.

Pequonnock, plat of, I, 66; application for
minister at, 264, 266; establishment of
preaching at, 269.

Percy, Lord, command of troops by, II, 291.

Perry, Francis D., benefactions of, II, 427.

Philip. King, obstinate resistance of, I, 188;
death of, 198.

Phipps, Sir William, appointment of, as
governor of Massachusetts, I, 273 ; re-
quest by, for account of military forces.
273-

Pipe-Staves, regulation of size of, I, 26.

Piracy, punishment for, I, 220; increase of,
286; attempts to suppress, 287.

Pitcairn, General, command of troops by,
II, 29T.

Pitkin, Governor, communications from. II,
266.

Pits for Wolves, construction of, I, 95.

Pitt, William, establishment of, as minister
in England, II, 217; communications
from, 220, 231, 235.

Plantations, guarding of. T. :^7.

Platform. Cambridge, agreed upon. I. 62.

Pocock, Admiral, command of fleet by, II,
244-

Pomeroy, Rev. Sctli. ordin.Ttion of, as pas-
tor. IT. 214.

Port Bill, Boston, passage of, II, 282.

INDEX

535

Prisons, County, I, 21, 136; town, 2U.

Privateering, authorization of, II, 313.

Prosperity, general, I, 102, 255.

Providences, God's, records of, I, 16.

Pulaski, Count, appointment of, as briga-
dier-general, II, 351.

Purchases and privileges, Indian, I, 14.

Puritans, history of, II, 61; severity of, 62;
dress and deportment of, 63.

Putnam, Israel, commission of, as major,
II, 216; appointment of, as lieutenant-
colonel, 221, 252; commission of, as
second brigadier-general, 294; appoint-
ment of, as major-general, 300; part of, at
Bunker Hill, 301.

Quakers, repeal of law discriminating

against, II, 8.
Quarantine, establishment of, II, 4.
Quebec, unsuccessful attack upon, I, 260;

capture of, II, 225.

Randolph, Edward, charges made against
colonies by, I, 22"].

Read Family, genealogy of, I, 402.

Read, Captain John, election of, as repre-
sentative, II, 163, 167, 181.

Read, John, Jr., choice of, as representa-
tive, II, 133, 261 ; election of, as judge,
239-

Records, keeping of, I, 41.

Reform, moral, efforts for, I, 209.

Religion, decline of, II, 42.

Representatives, elections of, I, 27, 32, 49, 52,
54, 55, 59, 69, y2, 88, 92, 94, 97, 99, 103,
no. Ill, 112, 116, 121, 128, 132, 136,
139, 142, 151, 159, 162, 164, 169, 171, 175,
177, 194, 205, 207, 212, 217, 219, 221, 223,
225, 230, 233, 235, 258, 264, 270, 272, 274,

278, 282, 289, 293, 295, 301 ; II, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
8, 15, 18, 27, 44, 115, 133, 135, 138, 140, 143,
144, 155, 159, 163, 167, 175, 176, 181, 189,
199, 208, 217, 220, 222, 231, 236, 243, 252,
254, 261, 263, 264, 268, 399.

Revere, Paul, signal given by, II, 291.

Revivalists, work of, II, 129.

Ripley, Rev. Hezekiah, election of, as pastor,
II, 260.

Robinson Family, genealogy of, I, 403.

Rocky Neck, bounding of, I, 273.

Rogerenes, excesses of, II, 65.

Roots Family, genealogy of, I, 403.

Rowland Family, genealogy of, I, 403.

Rowland, David, election of, as representa-
tive, II, 163, 167, 175, 176, 189, 217, 220,
222, 231, 236, 243, 248, 252, 254; choice of,
as judge, 239, 254" 261, 263; death of, 267.

Ruggles, Rev. Thomas, eulogy by, I, 187.

Rye, establishment of pastor at, I, 153, 172.

Sabbath, regulations concerning, I, 202; II,
21, 38, 42; manner of observance of, 59;
laws relating to, 64, 66, 81, 90.

Salmon Falls, attack upon, by Indians, I,
256.

Salt-making, encouragement of, I, 265.

Saltonstall, Gurdon, election of, as gov-
ernor, II, 12, 15.

Sandford Family, genealogy of, I, 404.

Sasqua, Indian deed of, I, 108; lots drawn

* in, 328.

Saybrook Platform, adoption of, II, 16.

Sayer, or Sayre, Rev. John, confinement of,
II, 2,2,T, protection of, by British troops,
396.

Schenectady, massacre at, I, 256.

School-house, first, erection of, I, 21.

Schools, provisions for, I, 109, 206; II, 2, 4,
5, 28, 34, 48, no, 262.

Schuyler, Philip, appointment of, as major-
general, II, 300; command of expedition
by, 306.

Scott, Captain John, choice of, as president
of towns on Long Island, I, 120.

Sedgwick, Major, appearance of, in com-
mand of ships, I, 89.

Seeley Family, genealogy of, I, 405.

Sheffield, Joseph Earl, services of, II, 426.

Sherwood Family, genealogy of, I, 408.

Sherwood, Rev. John, election of, as pastor,
II, 214.

Sherwood, Captain Mathew, election of, as
representative, I, 272.

Sherwood, Thomas, choice of, as represen-
tative, I, 52, 69.

Ships, laws regulating building of, I, 218.

Sign-Posts, erection of, I, 220.

Silliman Family, genealogy of, I, 406.

Silliman, Ebenezer, election of, as repre-
sentative, II, 100, III, 117, 118, 122, 124,

536

INDEX

138, 261, 263, 264, 268, 275, 2^7, 278, 281,

282 ; choice of, as assistant, 124, 133, 135,
138, 140, 143, 144, 146, 154, 159, 163, 167,
17s, 176, 181, 189, 199, 208, 217, 222, 231,
232, 236, 239, 243, 248, 252, 254; election
of, as judge, 146, 155, 163, 167, 175, 176,
181, 189, 208, 217, 222, 22,2, 236, 239, 243,
248, 252, 254, 277, 279, 283; choice of, as
commissioner, 212, 216, 220; election of,
as speaker, 279, 281, 283; death of, 306.
Silliman, General, capture of, II, 378; liber-
ation of, 406.
Silliman, Robert, election of, as representa-
tive, II, 67, -JT,, 75, 85, 90, 98.
Simsburg, partial burning of, by Indians, I,

192.
Slaves, measures to prevent escape of, I,
262; support of, II, 4, 29; punishment of,
97; efforts of, to escape, 289; petition of,
for freedom, 385.
Smcdley, Captain, capture of vessel by, II,

.341-
Social Customs of Early Settlers, I, 145.
Sons of Liberty, organization of, II, 256.
Spencer, Joseph, appointment of, as brig-
adier-general, II, 294; part of, in battle of
Bunker Hill, 301.
Sprague Family, genealogy of, I, 411.
Squire F"amily, genealogy of, 1, 411.
Squire, Samuel, election of, as representa- j
tive, II, 2, 4, 5. 2S2, z^^z, 344, 356, 2,72,
381, 398, 402. !

Stamford, settlement of. I, ri; Indians of,
58; Uncas sent to, 58; Indian rising at,
•^9- . j

Stamp Act, proposal of, II, 253 ; protest |
against, 253 ; adoption of, 255 ; opposition I
to, 256 ; repeal of, 259.
Staples Family, genealogy of, I. 412.
St. John, capture of, II, 219.
Strangers, ejection of, I. 136; fining of, 220;

II, 12. I

Stratfield, cstablisiuncnt of parish of, II. 3.
Stratford, bounds of, 1, no. 116; ferry at. |
57, 297. I

Student, a Yale, experience of. 11, 464.
Sturges Family, genealogy of, I, 412.
Sturges, Jonathan, election of, as represent-
ative, II, 65, 279; choice of, as judge, 306,
312, 381.

Taintor, Charles, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 54, 55.
Talcott, Governor Joseph, appointment of.

as captain-general, II, 126.
Talcott, ]\Iajor John, appointment of, as
commander-in-chief. I, 194; defeat of, by
Indians, 198; efforts of. to prevent war.
242.
Talmage, Major, destruction of fort by, II,

411.
Taxation, ecclesiastical, adjustment of, I.
203; ecclesiastical, rebellion against, II,
84; English, beginning of, 265; English,
repeal of, 365.
Tea, destruction of, II, 280.
Thanksgivings, observance of, 1, 93, loi, 104.
no, 136, 160, 169, 200, 209, 217, 221, 241,
245, 290, 291, 296; II, 17, 43. 234, 249, 261,
422.
Thompson Family, genealogy of, I, 414.
'I'iconderoga, capture of. II, 29S, 359.
limber, prohibition of exportation of, I,

236.
Titles, confirmation of. I. 225.
'i'obacco, regulation of use of, I, 54; duty

on, in.
Toleration Act, passage of. I, 251 ; influence

of, 262.
Tolls, regulation of, I, 286.
Town-House, first, erection of. I. 21.
Towns, extension of limits of, 1, 97.
Trade, establishment of freedom of, I, 114;
opposition to acts relating to, 212; in-
structions from king regarding, 215;
efforts to increase, 221.
ITaining-Days, number of, I, 49, 172.
Treadwell Family, genealogy of, I, 414.
Treat, Major Robert, resignation of, as
commander-in-chief, I, i8i ; election of, as
go\'crnor, 230, 235, 247 ; summoning of
Assembly by, 231, 232, 233, 237, 248; letter
to Earl of Sunderland from, 234; defense
of rights of planters by, 239; appoint-
ment of, as colonel of militia and cap-
tain of cavalry, 240; censure of Lesler
by, 260; offer of command i^i troops to,
279.
Tribute, Uncoway Indian. 1. 26.
Troops, regulations governing. I. 137. 298;
sufferings of, 1S8; moral rules for. 189;

INDEX

537

requirements of, 216; wages paid, 261;
organization of, 294.
Trumbull, Jonathan, appointment of, as
commissioner, II, 196, 216; appointment
of, as agent in England, 199; appoint-
ment of, as captain-general and governor-
in-chief, 294; protest of, to General Gage,
296.

rruthfulncss, promotion of, I, 26.

iryon, ^lajor-General William, demand of,
for surrender of Fairiield, II, 386; attack
of, on Fairfield, 387.

rurnc}' Family, genealogy of, I, 414.

i'ylor, John, election of, as representative, I,
223.

Uncas. war of, with Narragansetts, I, 50.
Underbill, Captain John, assistance of, to

Dutch on Long Island, I, 39; seizure of

fort by, 78.

Vice, efforts for suppression of, I, 223.

Wages, legal limitation of, I, 25.

•Wakeman Family, genealogy of, I, 417.

Wakeman, Ebenezer, election of, as repre-
sentative, II, 78, 81.

Wakeman, John, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 258, 270, 274, 278, 289, 293, 295,
301 ; II, 5, 8, 83; appointment of, on com-
mittee of safety, 6.

Wakeman, Captain Joseph, election of, as
representative, II, 27, 38, 44, 45, 49, 52,
64; appointment of, as treasury inspector,
"JT, choice of, as assistant, 78, 81; elec-
tion of, as commissioner and member of
council of war, 78; death of, 83.

Wakeman, Captain Samuel, election of, as
representative, II, 399, 402.

Wakeman, Rev. Samuel, land devoted to
use of, I, 115; choice of, as pastor, 129;
land granted to, 164; election sermon by,
229; death of, 270, 283.

Wampus, John, claim of, I, 210; condemna-
tion of, 2Ti; reply of governor and com-
missioners to, 219.

War, preparations for, I, 134, 184, 215, 252,
257, 2"]^^, 290; II, II, 19, 21, 30, 80, 126,
135. 138, 143, 146, 187, 190, 204, 215, 218.
221, 23s, 242, 286. 289, 291, 294, 297, 300,
304, 307, 310.

Ward Family, genealogy of, I, 418.

Ward, Andrew, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 55. 59. 72, 88, 92, 94-

Ward, Artemus, appointment of, as major-
general, II, 300.

Ward, Samuel, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 264.

Warren, General, command of troops by, II,
291.

Washington, Colonel George, command of
troops against French by, 11, 194; ap-
pointment of, as commander-in-chief, 300 ;
defeat of General Howe by, 371 ; issue of
proclamation by, 422.

Waterbury, David, Jr., appoinlment of, as
brigadier-general, II, 318.

Webb Family, genealogy of, I, 420.

Webb, General, course of, as commander,

II, 202, 2X1.

Webb, Rev. Joseph, election of, as pastor.

I, 271; dwelling provided for, 276; land
granted to, 301; thanks given to, 11, 3;
services of, to Yale College, 49; death of,

lOI.

Webb, Rev. Joseph, Jr.. dismissal of, from
church at Newark, II, 120.

Weights, inspection of, I, 40; orders regu-
lating, 143; procuring of standard, 152.

Westchester, purchase of, I. 119.

Whaling, encouragement of, I, 55.

Wheeler Family, genealogy of, I, 421.

Wheeler, John, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 97, 103, 162, 217, 235.

Whelpley Family, genealogy of, I, 422.

Whitefield, Rev. George, ministrations of.

II. 129.

White Plains, battle of. II. 3-^6.

Whiting, Captain John, command of mili-
tary forces by. II, 152.

Whiting, Colonel William, command of
forces by, IT, 25 ; reply of, to demand for
surrender, 387.

Widows, provision for, I, 289.

Willard. Major, command of military forces
by. T, 9-'-

William of Orange. Prince, invasion of
England by, I, 246; proclamation of. as
king, 248; rejoicing in colonies at suc-
cession of. 248; address sent to. 248;
appeal for favor of. 265 ; petition sent

53«

INDEX

to, 278; establishment of new postal regu-
lations hy, 282; appeal made to, 282;
crown confirmed upon, 291 ; death of,
II. 4-

Williams, Roger, communication from, I,
50.

Wilson Family, genealogy of, I, 423.

Wilson, Anthony, election of, as representa-
tive, I, 52.

WinsloWj John, commission of, as com-
mander-in-chief, II, 198; part of, in cam-
paign against French, 202.

Winthrop, Governor John, present made by
Indians to, I, 51 ; address to king pre-
pared by, no; thanks given to, 117; death
of, 193-

Winthrop, Major-General John, appoint-
ment of, as commander-in-chief of mili-
tary forces, I, 259; movement against
Quebec by, 260; arrest of, 260; thanks
given to, 261, 296; return from England
of, 296; assumption of governorship by,
299.

Witchcraft, laws against, I, 71 ; excitement
regarding, 273 ; trials for, 274 ; condemna-
tions for, 275.

Wolcott, Oliver, commission of, as brig-
adier-general, II, 323.

Wolfe, General, command of expedition by,
II, 223; death of, 225.

Wolves' Pit Plain, purchase of, I, 230.

Wolves, pits for, I, 95; bounty on, in.

Wooster, David, appointment of, as major-
general, II, 294, 329, 336; death of, 342;
services of, 342.

Wyllis, George, election of, as governor, I,
27.

Wyoming, massacre at, II, 374,

Yale College, movement toward establish-
ment of, 1,300; trustees appointed for, 302;
funds raised for, II, 2; rector chosen for,
3 ; establishment of, at New Haven, 51 ;
gifts to, 51, 105 ; naming of, 51 ; buildings
erected for, 51, 56; tax for support of,
67; discharge of members of Church of
England from, 71 ; legislative help for,
163 ; adoption of Westminster Catechism
by, 179.

York, Duke of, grant of land to, I, 119;
claim of, to Connecticut, 175.

Yorktown, siege of, II, 419.

Youngs, Captain John, appointment of, to
command of vessel, I, 92; election of, as
representative, 113; charge of sedition
made against, 114.

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Full text of "The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818"

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